CATHERINE HALL, St James — Former champions Trinidad and Tobago advanced to tomorrow’s championship decider in the Caribbean Football Union’s Caribbean Cup after ending Cuba’s reign with a 0-0 draw in their final Group A game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday.

After winning their first two games, Trinidad and Tobago needed just a point to advance to the final on Tuesday and got it after a competitive and, at times, contentious game.

Cuba will contest the third place game against the Group B runners-up on Tuesday, but qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup along with Trinidad. Jamaica and Haiti, were due to meet for Group B honours last night, while Antigua and Barbuda were scheduled to meet Martinique in what is seen as the consolation game, though mathematically the latter two could still have a chance to advance.

The Spanish-speaking island came closest to scoring on Saturday, hitting the Trinidad woodwork twice in the first half and keeping the Trinidad goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams busy throughout the game.

In-form Kevin Molino was not used after scoring twice in Trinidad’s previous game and Kenwyne Jones, who got two in their opening game, was ineffective for the 83 minutes he was on the pitch.

Jones, who did not play in Trinidad’s second game, appeared to be limping at one stage and was heard arguing loudly with a Cuban defender.

In the second half, he had to be separated from another Cuban after a strong tackle.

Meanwhile, in the first game of the double-header, French Guiana beat Curacao 4-1 in a match-up of two teams that just fell short of earning a point in their previous two games.

Gilles Fabien scored twice for the French Guiana team that will hope for a fifth place and qualify for a play-off against the UNCAF (Central America) fifth-placed team for a spot in the Gold Cup.

Brian St Clair put French Guiana ahead in the 18th minute, Fabien doubled the lead in the 26th minute with the first of his double while Niki Adipi made the scores 3-0 in the 34th minute.

Fabien completed his double in the 64th minute while Rihairo Meullens pulled one back for Curacao in the 84th minute.

Earlier in the tournament French Guiana were outscored 3-2 by Trinidad and drew 1-1 with Cuba, thanks to a last-minute goal.

Curacao lost their first two games by 3-2 margins to Trinidad and Cuba, the latter through a goal deep into time added on after the had come from behind twice to level the scores.