BROOKLYN, New York (CMC):

Defending champions Jamaica and five-time champions St Vincent and the Grenadines will battle for the 2009 Digicel New York Caribbean Cup, after registering contrasting wins in the semi-finals on Sunday.

Jamaica, who have won the Cup for the last four years, narrowly edged out Grenada 2-1 in a very robust and controversial finish in the final match of the night at the Jefferson High School stadium.

SVG, meanwhile, which have been in the final of the 17-year-old Cup for a record eight times overall, earned their way to their ninth final by swamping St Lucia 5-0 in the first match of the double-header.

It will be the fourth time that both teams will clash in the grand finale in 16 years. In all three previous occasions - 1994, 1997 and 2000 - St Vincent and the Grenadines beat Jamaica 1-0.

A hat-trick of goals by midfielder Grayson Alexander led SVG's remarkable triumph, and he was assisted by a goal apiece by strikers Andrew Douglas and Renson Haynes.

St Vincent and the Grenadines' head coach, Stanley 'Luxie' Morris, said he was very satisfied with his team's big win, stating that St Lucia was clearly no match for the perennial powerhouses.

"We had very good practice sessions all week long," he told CMC Sports in a post-match interview. "We worked hard on our weak points.

"We're very confident we'll beat Jamaica (in the final). The guys have really lifted their game."

Late rallies

Had it not been for late rallies, Jamaica might have been packing their bags, as Grenada gave them a run for their money before 3,200 fans, the largest attendance so far this season.

The New York Spice Boyz dominated most of the duel, leading 1-0 in the first half through Cassim Lanjaique's conversion in 44th minute.

But the New York Reggae Boyz found the equaliser in the 62nd minute when Damion Williams headed a left flank cross from Jermaine Hue past Grenadian goalkeeper Desmond Noel.

Eight minutes later, Williams capitalised on a mix-up in the penalty box to give Jamaica the decisive and disputed goal.

The Grenadians and their vocal supporters challenged the goal, claiming it never bypassed Noel, resulting in play being held up for over 15 minutes.

But the referee eventually called off the match, without resuming play, upholding his decision and giving Jamaica the all-important win, which will see them meet SVG in Sunday's final.

"It was a goal," Jamaica's head coach Norbert Radjpaul told CMC Sports. "These guys (Grenadians) don't want to acknowledge this."

His opposite number Brian Lewis was left in disbelief.

"It can't happen. The officials brought this to a dispute," he lamented.

"He's (referee) not consistent. We dominated the game easily. It was a bad decision in the end."