COUVA, Trinidad (July 24, 2026) — North Leeward Predators FC secured their place in the 2026 CFU Club Shield Round of 16 with a convincing 3-1 victory over S.C.S.A Eagles, responding emphatically after conceding an early second-half equalizer by scoring twice in four minutes.

The opening 20 minutes offered few clear-cut chances, but the contest burst into life in the 22nd minute when the Vincentian side took the lead.

A long throw from Sydroy Bentick found Koby Mingot inside the penalty area. Under pressure from a defender, Mingot displayed excellent composure, using two deft touches to create space before calmly side-footing a left-footed finish into the net for a 1-0 advantage.

S.C.S.A Eagles nearly found an unlikely equalizer in the 31st minute when Loxley Parker launched a high ball into the penalty area. The delivery appeared destined to drift out of play but clipped the crossbar, catching the Predators’ goalkeeper by surprise.

North Leeward Predators had an excellent opportunity to double their lead four minutes before halftime. Kirtney Franklin raced onto a through ball and found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Chandro Willkin, but the Eagles shot-stopper produced an important save to keep his side within one goal at the break.

The Sint Maarten club leveled six minutes into the second half after Keshorn Durham was penalized for handball inside the penalty area. Khalid Tavernier confidently converted the resulting penalty, blasting his effort into the top-right corner beyond the goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

The Predators responded almost immediately.

Just four minutes later, Franklin atoned for his earlier miss with an excellent individual effort. The forward drove past two defenders before slotting his shot through the legs of the advancing Willkin to restore North Leeward Predators' lead at 2-1.

The Vincentian side then put the match beyond doubt in the 57th minute.

Deshad Simmons threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Diel Spring, who rounded Willkin before calmly finishing into the empty net to complete the 3-1 victory.

With the win, North Leeward Predators advance to the Round of 16, where they will face Metropolitan of Puerto Rico at Larry Gomes Stadium on July 26.