A FAILED experiment.
That’s what Barbados’ performance proved last Saturday at the National Stadium as they went down 2-0 to Dominica in their international football friendly.
Dominica took first honours in the two-match series, as both teams prepared for their first-round encounters in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, which starts next weekend across the region.
Barbados coach Thomas Jordan did not read too much into the result.
“We were trying a new system and introduced some new players to get them blend into the team so as to get them introduced to the new system as well as the other players,” he said.
With seven days remaining before they open their campaign against recent nemesis St Kitts, Jordan and his staff will need to make some adjustment.
Work to do
“At practice next week, we’ll have to work on our positional play and getting the players to know each other,” Jordan said while adding there would be some changes to the squad as time progresses – personnel wise and positional as well.
Barbados looked liked the dominant team early, spreading around the ball patiently in their half, while it seemed as though the Dominicans were satisfied to allow them that space.
Barbados unlocked the fixed Dominican defence on three occasions within 20 minutes but failed to take advantage.
In the tenth minute, a cross from debutant Terry Adamson was met by the head of Barbados’ leading marksman Riviere Williams but his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Off the radar
In the 13th minute, one of two teenagers featured, Kadeem Atkins played a delightful ball behind the Dominican defence, freeing up Williams but his effort to curl the ball into the far corner fell way off the radar.
Dominica settled and started to pass the ball around neatly. Their movement off the ball was way superior to their opponents, consequently forcing them to chase shadows and fall out of position.
Dominica grabbed the lead in the 24th minute, through striker Kurlson Benjamin.
A well weighted pass from Chad Bertrand split the Barbados defence and the speedy Benjamin raced onto it and clinically sent his right foot shot into the far post, giving custodian Adrian Chase no chance.
Dominica were now in the driver’s seat. Their passing was sharp, the defensive organisation was sublime and their key players were easy to identify.
Joseph doubled Dominica’s lead in the 38th minute after some careless work by Barbados central defender Barry Skeete, who was indecisive with possession and played the ball straight to Joseph who gladly accepted and buried his effort low and hard.
With a lot of work to do, Barbados lacked that creativity as skipper Norman Forde seemed to be isolated in his forward position and saw very little of the ball.
Romel Burgess attempted to take up this mantle but this responsibility was too much for him and he had a terrible night in midfield, scuffing up possession and literally giving the ball to the opponents.
Barbados were a bit more organised as the second half started, and were looking more productive with possession but they continued to miss opportunities.
