SAINT LUCIA senior men’s football team competing at the inaugural CONCACAF Nations Cup, despite going down to Haiti 2-1, can keep their heads up high after giving FIFA’s ranked 109th team a run for their money on Tuesday evening at the Stade Pierre-Aliker in Fort- de- France, Martinique.
Saint Lucia’s starting eleven comprised: Zaine Pierre -(midfielder/captain), Vino Barclette (goalkeeper), Andrus Remy (forward), Lester Joseph (midfielder) Alvinus Myers (defender), (Melvin Doxilly (defender), MelaniusMullarkey (defender), Kurt Frederick (defender), Pernal Williams (midfielder), (Malik St.Prix (midfielder)and Otev Lawrence (defender).
Compared to the Antigua and Barbuda match where Saint Lucia won 3-0, Vino Barclette, Lester Joseph and MelaniusMullarkey were included in the starting eleven replacing Leon Alexander, Shane Paul and Gregson President who for various reasons did not travel with the squad.
Substitutes were Giovanni Deterville, Shawn Evans, Nicholas Lawrence, Cassius Joseph, Delon Neptune, and RidelStanislas.
Haiti starting X1, JhonyPlacide (captain), Mechack Jerome, Carlens Arcus, JemsGeffrard, Alex Christian, Zachary Herivaux, Brian Jr. Charles, SoniMustivar, Derrick Etienne Jr, FrantzdyPierrot, Marc Collat.
On the square, Haiti took a 1-0 lead through No. 17 SoniMustivar in the 13th minute converting a pass received from No. 11 Dereck Etienne; some 21 minutes later No. 10 Herold Jr Charles made it 2-0 in the 34 minute after receiving a free ball form No. 8 Zachary Herivaux. For once many fans in Martinique and at home watching thought the Haitians were out to repeat a yesteryear performance when they trounced Saint Lucia 7-1.
However, Saint Lucia responded shortly before the halftime whistle as No. 4 Pernal Williams, who plays for L’Aiglon du- Lamentin, no stranger to the French crowd curled in a majestic, looping left-footed shot into the top left corner of the net to cut the lead by one to 2-1 in the 42nd minute to ease things off.
On the resumption, Haiti had two excellent shots at goal to extend its advantage, but it missed wide on the first and was denied the second by an excellent save from Saint Lucia’s Goalkeeper Vino Barclette, Commonwealth Youth Games and gold medalist in the Bahamas 2017.
In the end though, Haiti managed to hang on to secure the three points and improve its record to 2 wins, 0 draw, 0 Lost, 15 goals for, 1 goal against.
Saint Lucia will travel to the Cayman Islands to play their third game on Saturday 17th November against the host nation.
Saint Lucia now has 1 win, 1 lost, 4 goals for, 1 goal against, giving them a total of 3 points.
