Barbados trail Costa Rica 0-1 in their opening Group E fixture in the Concacaf Under 20 Championships in Miami Florida.
It was almost the perfect start for Costa Rica with only 25 seconds on the clock. Jurguens Montenegro got in behind the Barbados defence, marshalled by captain Kaeson Trench, but unfortunately struck the outside of goalkeeper Liam Brathwaite’s post.
The young tridents were a bit shaky in the opening moments, but as the half grew on they survived a wave of attacks while frustrating Costa Rica on every possible possession.
The closest Barbados came to getting on the score sheet was on the stroke of halftime. Ray Francis was brought down just outside the box and Ackeel Applewhaite stepped up and came within inches of grabbing the game’s opening goal with a free kick attempt.
However, when the teams emerged for the second half, it only took one minute before Costa Rica broke the deadlock thanks to captain Diego Mesen.
Araya then converted despite Braithwaite diving in the right direction and getting a glove on the ball.
The result means that Costa Rica are now top of Group E with six points from two games while Barbados currently sit in fourth position with no points
(AG-B)
