FORT-DE-FRANCE – Barbados squandered a two-goal lead to crash to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of hosts Martinique here Friday, and are now facing elimination from the CFU Caribbean Cup Qualifiers.
Playing in Group 3 at Stade Pierre-Aliker, Barbados cruised to a 2-0 lead at half-time but then conceded three goals in the second half, to follow up Wednesday’s draw with a disappointing defeat.
They are now bottom of the standings with a single point while Martinique lead with six points from two victories and are assured of qualification to the next round.
Barbados were first on the scoresheet when Ricardio Morris netted in the 13th minute and doubled their lead on the half-hour mark courtesy of a strike from Carl Joseph.
Up 2-0 at half-time, Barbados’ decline started when England-based defender and captain Emmerson Boyce conceded an own goal in the 57th minute, to allow Martinique back into the game.
Gael Germany then brought the French side back on level terms in the 68th minute and Jose Goron completed a fine turnaround when he netted nine minutes from the end to break Barbados’ hearts.
In the other Group 3 encounter, Bonaire rebounded from their heavy defeat on Wednesday to beat Suriname 3-2.
They made a strong start to the game, scoring twice inside the first 12 minutes of the game courtesy of Lacey Pauletta and Yurick Seinpaal, to lead 2-0 at the half-time whistle.
Suehendley Barzey added a 70th minute penalty and even though Miguel Cronie struck twice inside three minutes to set up a tense finish with eight minutes left, Bonaire held on for the points.
They now lie second on three points while Suriname are third on one point.
In Group 4 in Puerto Rico, Grenada remained winless and bottom of the standings after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Curacao while French Guiana beat the hosts by a similar scoreline, to also enhance their chances of qualification.
Playing at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Grenada were in front after four minutes through Wendell Rennie, a lead that held until half-time.
However, Prince Rajcomar equalised in the 57th minute and Gevaro Nepomuceno got the winner five minutes later. (CMC)
