Haiti edge Martinique to top group

With hosts Trinidad and Tobago battling to a 1-1 draw against Barbados in the tournament’s first match of the double-header, Haiti have three points, followed by TT and Barbados (one apiece) and Martinique.

After a quick move on the right, Brunel was sent clear on goal by striker Alexandre Boucicat and expertedly put his team ahead, chipping the ball over the advancing Martinique goalkeeper Eddie Heurlie.

Eliphene Cadet, Haiti’s main striker, skied a right-footer overbar after he got a right-sided pass from Mones Chery in the 34th minute.

And, 19 minutes later, Heurlie was forced to make an acrobatic aerial save to thwart Boucicat’s goal-bound header after a brisk move on the left by wing-back Frantz Gilles.

Heurlie was again called to action on the hour-mark, denying a left-footed freekick by Peter Germain. But Martinique, who struggled to breach the sturdy Haitain backline, missed a chance to equalise in the second minute of stoppage time.

Captain Patrick Pergin found a goal-bound Jose Goron and, after the striker skipped past Haitian skipper Pierre Richard Bruny, hesitated and the former Joe Public defender recovered to force a corner, courtesy of a last-ditched tackle. Action in the group continues tomorrow with the Haitians meeting Barbados at 5 pm while, two hours later, Trinidad and Tobago and Martinique clash.

Teams -

HAITI: Gabard Fenelon; Pierre Richard Bruny (capt), Josue Mayard, Frantz Gilles, Stephane Guillaume; Alain Vubert, Fucien Brunel, Mones Chery (Ednerson Raymond 55th), Peter Germain; Alexandre Boucicaut (Gilles Dacius 78th), Eliphene Cadet (Roody Lormera 70th).

MARTINIQUE: Eddy Heurlie; Joan Deluge, Audrick Linord, Sebastien Lugiery (Willy Padolly 55th), Franciano Etinof (Jean Victor Lavril 79th); Gael Germany (Xavier Bullet 69th), Patrick Percin (capt), Wilfrid Thalien, Charles Coridon; Steve Gustan, Jose Goron.