Soca Warriors edge Haiti 2-1

TRINIDAD and Tobago Soca Warriors gave an improved performance in edging Haiti 2-1 in their second international friendly at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday. Stern John headed the hosts into a 21st minute lead, beating Haitian goalkeeper Luidgi Beauzile with a powerful header from a centre from the right. And when Cornell Glen latched on to a clever pass from Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick following a long throw-out by goalkeeper Shaka Hislop and fired hard and low past Beauzile in the 43rd minute, TT were in cruise control.

But the hosts were outplayed by the Haitians for most of the second period, especially after Frantz Gilles slipped through the otherwise stout Soca Warriors defence, marshalled by the hard tackling Atiba Charles, Keyeno Thomas and Anton Pierre to beat Hislop to pull a goal back. Haiti created several chances in the second period but poor finishing was their downfall. Veteran ex-Trinidad and Tobago captain David Nakhid, back as an assistant coach, came on as a 47th minute substitute replacing Anthony Rougier and stabilised the midfield, making some searching passes. Nearing the end, the Haitians mounted an attack on the “Soca Warriors” goal and a shot from Jhonny Descollines forced Hislop to save on the second attempt.