Tuesday, November 2nd 2010 –: Mannie Ramjohn Stadium, Trinidad.
It what was anticipated to be the tightest Digicel Caribbean Cup Group to date, and the opening game reflected the cagey nature of what we can expect in Trinidad. A draw probably a fair reflection of the match but both teams will think of the chances they missed. This is going to be a very interesting few days in Trinidad with qualification to the Digicel Cup Finals at stake for the top two teams.
What an opening it would have been to the 2010 Digicel Cup for Haiti, a clear chance fell to the head of Eliphene Cadet at the back post, he managed to climb highest from a well delivered free kick, he did everything right, headed the ball downward only for the ball to bounce off the ground and over the bar. The Jaguars keeper, Williams, had no chance if he had of hit the target.
The initial period saw Haiti enjoy the lion’s share of possession but they failed to create many clear cut chances after the initial opening. Guyana seemed content to soak up the pressure and looked to hit the Haitian’s on the counter. Haiti were passing and probing but neither team really threatened the goal further in the opening exchanges.
It was on the half-hour mark when Sony Norde from Haiti broke down the left wing, cut inside onto his right foot and hit a curling effort that was heading for the top corner. It probably lacked a bit of power which enabled Williams in the Guyana goal get his finger tips to stir the ball around the right hand post.
Not too long after Guyana responded, Haiti’s full backs were caught up the field which enabled Millington from Guyana beat the offside trap down the left. He dwelled on the ball a little too long which enabled the Haitian central defense get back, Millington tried to set up Abrams who came racing through but failed to get a connection. A real good chance if Millington had of been a little more direct. Guyana threatened a couple more times before the interval but the final pass just let them down on a few occasions.
The 2nd half followed a similar pattern to the first, although the pace and tempo did increase. Haiti again forced the pace and looked to have more of a cutting edge this half with better movement from their front players.
It was the Jaguars who created one of the best passages of football in this encounter mid-way through the half. It started with a break down the left from full back Chris Bourne who found Dwain Jacobs on an overlap, Jacobs played a fantastic first time cross to the back post where substitute Shawn Beveney cushioned a delightful knock down right in the path of Millington who could have hit it first time but decided to take a touch, it was in this instance that the chance may have passed. He did manage to get a shot off but it was a tame effort that went wide of the left hand post. The move deserved a goal.
On 67 Minutes Guyana were reduced to ten men when Dwight Peters got sent off for his 2nd bookable offense. However, Haiti failed to capitalize although they did create opportunities, mainly through their wide players delivering dangerous crosses. They were unfortunate not to get the final touch on a number of occasions.
The final 5 minutes of the match saw a great chance fall to both teams’, first Haiti had headed opportunity from point blank range saved tremendously by Williams in the Jaguar’s goal. Within seconds Guyana were streaking forward and Dwain Jacobs should have hit the target when put through down the right.
Both sides appeared content with the point as their qualification hopes are still very much alive, the Guyana Coach Wayne Dover commented, “This was not a bad result for us but it would have been great to get a victory instead. We did not create too many chances but it’s our first point in our first game of the group so we»ll take that and now look ahead to the next match against Trinidad and Tobago.” Edson Tavares from Haiti said, “it’s a positive start for us. It’s our first game of the tournament after a five game training camp in Brazil. We have a squad with a lot of young players in it. We didn’t do too badly but there could have been some better play at times which could have given us a better chance of getting three points.”
Haiti: 12. Steward Ceus 2. Mechack Jerome (44. Mins 18. Wildedonald Guerrier) 3. Parnal Guerrier 4. Harold Milord 5. Versailles Kenold 8. Sony Vorbe (79 Mins 14. Jacqueson Jean) 9. Elephene Cadet (65 Mins 11. Ricardo Charles) 10. Laonel Saint Preux 13. Constant Jean Junior Monuma 15. Pascal Millien 17. Rubin Jean Garry Coach: Edson Tavares
Guyana: 1. Ronson Williams 2. Chris Nurse 3. Howard Lowe (Capt) 4. Christopher Bourne 6. Jake Newton 7. Dwain Jacobs 9. Dwight Peters 10. Anthony Abrams (69 Mins 15. Shawn Beveney) 13. Charles Pollard 14. Sean Cameron (76 Mins 8. Dwain Ali) 18. Devon Millington (82 Mins 17. Warren Gilkes) Coach: Wayne Dover
Referee: Trevor Taylor – Barbados
Assistant Referee 1 – Adrian Goddard – Barbados
Assistant Referee 2 –– Mark Sullivan – Jamaica
Commissioner – Dale Spencer – JAM
