THE BAJAN Tridents were unbeaten in their three matches but still bowed out of the Digicel Caribbean Cup at the first round stage after a goalless draw in a hot-tempered final Group “B” qualifying football match against hosts St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) at Victoria Park on Sunday night.
In an incident-filled final 20 minutes, referee Javier Jauregui of the Netherlands Antilles ejected three Barbadian and two SVG players. Vincentian Emerald George was the first to be sent off in the 71st minute and he was followed by teammate Keith Francis a minute from full time.
Barbados’ captain Norman Forde was also red-carded for retaliation from a challenge by Francis with one minute left and John “Nobby” Parris was subsequently expelled for another challenge on opposing goalkeeper Dwayne Sandy on the stroke of full time.
At the end of the keenly contested match, watched by a 5 000-strong capacity crowd, a protesting goalkeeper Alvin Rouse of Barbados, was also shown the red card.
The 0-0 result means that St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts-Nevis and Barbados all ended with five points from their three matches.
According to the Digicel 2010 Tournament regulations dealing with the Elimination Competition System at the Group Stage, St Kitts-Nevis topped the group, by virtue of scoring more goals in the matches between the three tied teams, having drawn 1-1 with both Barbados and St Vincent.
The Vincentians finished second by virtue of the fifth tier of the tiebreaker, having scored eight goals and conceded one, whereas Barbados will be eliminated after scoring six and conceding one to be third in the group.
Vincy Heat will join St Kitts-Nevis in advancing to the next phase as one of the two best second-place teams.
St Kitts had defeated winless Montserrat 4-0 in the evening’s first game but the lopsided victory by St Vincent (7-0) and Barbados (5-0) against Montserrat did not come into the equation, in determining the group winners.
Barbados played the match without first-choice striker Riviere Williams, through a soft tissue injury to the right ankle, while St Vincent boldly made six changes to the team which started in the last game versus St Kitts-Nevis.
SVG captain and leading goalscorer Shandel Samuel was out injured and Barbadian-based sweeper Oscar Nero was among those not starting, with the tough-tackling Roy Richards coming in.
Barbados, who also had to replace striker Mario Harte with Bryan Neblett after 32 minutes, came close to scoring when Forde, used in a forward position, shot just wide of the right post.
Referee Jauregui had been kept busy from the first half, booking Omar Archer, Neblett and Rouse of Barbados and George and Chester Morgan of St Vincent.
Just before half-time, Rouse had to push away a stinging shot from Romano Snagg, at his near post, for a corner.
The hosts made a double substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Seinard Bowens and Damol Francis for Darren Hamlet and Chad Balcombe. Bowens had a golden opportunity but lashed his shot into the stands. A free-kick on the edge of the penalty area by Cornelius Stewart, was also parried away by Rouse who also had to retreat to push a long shot by the dreadlocked Francis over the crossbar after a weak pass back by Archer.
However, the Vincentians were reduced to ten men for the last 19 minutes when George was ejected after receiving a second yellow card for an off-the-ball skirmish with Parris, who was also booked.
Barbados failed to capitalise on the advantage and with striker Terry Adamson feeling unwell on the bench, brought on Kadeem Atkins in the final 15 minutes for an injured Jason Carter.
In the dying moments, Forde was the victim of a flagrant foul by James, and was controversially sent off as his leg made contact with James while on the turf. Parris was also unlucky to be red-carded after Sandy blocked his attempt on goal.
Earlier, Alexis Saddler got a brace in the 17th and 31st minutes while captain Keith Gumbs scored a free kick after 20 minutes and substitute Ian Lake scored in the 90th minute to give St Kitts-Nevis an important victory.
SQUADS
Barbados: Alvin Rouse (GK), Barry Skeete, Jonathan Straker, Omar Archer, Rudy Grosvenor, John Parris, Jason Carter (Kadeem Atkins, 75th), Rommel Burgess, Jeffrey Williams, Norman Forde, Mario Harte (Bryan Neblett, 32nd).
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Dwayne Sandy (GK), Chad Balcombe (Damol Francis, 46th), Emerald George, Joel George, Darren Hamlet (Seinard Bowens), Keith James, Chester Morgan, Roy Richards, Reginal Richardson, Romano Snagg (Oscar Nero, 84th), Cornelius Stewart.
Red Cards
St Vincent: Emerald George (71st), Keith James (90th).
Barbados: Norman Forde (89th), John Parris (90th) Alvin Rouse (after game)