THERE WERE showers of blessing for Barbados’ senior football team at Kensington Oval Sunday night.
But while it didn’t rain goals on a wet, chilly night, the hearts of Barbadian football fans would’ve been warmed by the 1-0 triumph over fellow lightweights Dominica in the feature match of a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Cup Group 4 double-header.
An inswinging Ramuel Miller 35th minute free kick, which was unintentionally headed into his own goal by dreadlocked sweeper Collin Bernard, was all that was required for the Bajan Tridents to register their first tournament victory since beating Montserrat 5-0 in the 2010 Digicel Cup.
The only other win in Barbados’ last 18 matches was a 4-0 triumph over St Lucia in a friendly international last year.
And coach Colin “Potato” Forde, who presided over the national team’s winless six-game World Cup campaign last year, was delighted.
“It is a good feeling. We have not experienced something like this in a while, so we will celebrate this victory,” he said, after the match.
“But we must stay calm, focused and humble. Once we stick to our game plan and be well organized, both in attack and defence, we should be okay.”
Barbados will next take on the Dominican Republic today at 8 p.m. before tackling Aruba at the same time on Thursday night.
Earlier, Aruba and the Dominican Republic played to an exciting 2-2 draw in the opening match of the Group, and judging by their standard of play, neither will be pushovers for the new-look Barbados team.
The skilful Errick Lopez netted both of the Dominican Republic’s goals in the 13th and 76th minutes, while strikes by Raymond Baten (6th) and Rensy Barradas (30th) had given Aruba a 2-1 half-time lead.
It was then Barbados’ turn. While they held on for a seventh win against the Dominicans in ten encounters since 1996, to gain revenge for double losses in two friendlies in 2010 when the teams last met, there is clearly room for improvement.
The match was played on a wet outfield caused by persistent rain from a tropical wave. The turf held up well, especially on the flanks and in front of both 18-yard boxes, but was very muddy in the middle by the cricket pitches.
Barbados should’ve won by a wider margin, but they weren’t clinical in front of goal with several half chances and clear goal-scoring opportunities going abegging.
Tristan “Fishy” Parris was involved in a tussle with the Dominican defenders for the most part and this affected his focus, while Mario Harte never got going.
Teenager Kemar Headley looked out of position on the left flank during the first half but was more comfortable in the second when he was switched to the right side.
He fired his best chance over the bars from just outside the six-yard box, while hardworking 20-year-old midfielder Raheim Sargeant had a good game, but needs to work on his finishing.
He got into a couple of goal-scoring positions but his shots lacked power and placement, with one from the edge of the penalty area going straight to goalkeeper Glenson Prince.
Substitute Kyle Gibson, whose ball control was lacking, was too hesitant. Throughout, it was the experienced quartet of captain Jeffrey Williams, Miller, the diminutive Ranaldo Marques and imposing centre back Barry Skeete, who were a tower of strength in defence, that stood out, along with Sargeant.
Dominica went close to equalizing on a couple of occasions, especially in the last 15 minutes.
Barbados’ goalkeeper Jason Boxill was slow in moving off his line to grab a through ball and in the ensuing melee Skeete had to hurriedly avert danger by clearing the ball a few feet from the goal line.
The easiest chance was muffed by Eddie Thomas, who from within the six-yard box, inexplicably scooped a brilliant ball played across the Barbados’ goalmouth by Kelrick Walters.
TEAMS Barbados: Jason Boxill (goalkeeper), Barry Skeete, Ricardio Morris, Andre Bourne, Ramuel Miller, Ranaldo Marques, Rashida Jeffrey Williams (captain), Raheim Sargeant, Tristan Parris (Kyle Gibson), Mario Harte (Malcolm Marshall), Kemar Headley (Jason Lovell)Dominica: Glenson Prince (captain-goalkeeper), Prince Austrie, Hubert Prince, Collin Bernard, Kelrick Walter, Lester Langlais, Joel Etienne Clarke, Kurlson Benjamin, Shern Dailey, Carlvin Christopher, Chad Bertrand.Referee: Neal Brizan (Trinidad and Tobago); Referee assistants: Dion Neil, Ainsley Rochard (Trinidad and Tobago). Fourth official: Leo Clarke (St Lucia).Match commissioner: Mark Campbell (Cayman Islands), Referees assessor: Victor Stewart (Jamaica).Attendance: 550
