Haiti blank TT Under-17 in qualifier

Haiti went ahead in the 21st minute when Nael Wellofky picked up a loose clearance at the top of the box and clinically drilled a low right footer into the left corner of the net past goalkeeper Emmanuel John.

Haitian captain Steve Selso then put his team 2-0 ahead in the 67th minute after a breakaway.

TT coach Russell Latapy, at the post-game media conference, admitted, “I’m obviously disappointed.

But the reality of the game is that the better team won.

“You can see why they are defending (CFU Under-17) champions, they are a very organised team. And they made it really difficult for us, they played really well.” The ex-national captain and coach pointed out, “I know that we have good players and we didn’t play to the standard that we could play at. We didn’t play to our potential.” In the opening Group A match, Jamaica defeat Bermuda 6-2. On target for Jamaica were Kaheem Parris (17th and 72nd), Raewin Senior (fifth), Kendall Edwards (36th), Nicque Daley (42nd) and Tokiya Russell (own goal - 90th) while Rahzir Smith-Jones (30th) and Russell (81st) were the goal-getters for Bermuda.

Today, at Couva, Haiti will battle Jamaica at 4 pm while TT will square off against Bermuda at 6.30 pm.