Barbados’ young footballers will need to rebound against Haiti today in their second game, after losing their opening Group 3 Caribbean Zone qualifying match in the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships to host country Puerto Rico 2-0 on Wednesday night.
Playing on the artificial turf at the Bayamon Sport Centre in Mayaquez, Barbados made an enterprising start and should have scored in the first minute but a weak shot by Shaquille Stewart failed to trouble the Puerto Rican goalkeeper.
The young Barbadians, led by sweeper Ricardio Morris, defended stubbornly and made periodic attacks on the Puerto Rican defence but failed to capitalize on their chances.
After a goalless first half, Barbados coach Asquith Howell made one change in the 47th minute with Dayrells Road’s striker Kyle Coppin replacing Stewart.
Barbados remained competitive for the first 15 minutes before a mistake on the left side resulted in Reid Strain slotting past goalkeeper Joshua Hynam in the 63rd minute.
This goal forced the Bajans to push forward and in the 72nd minute, Kemar Headley moved away from his marker but his powerful shot was thwarted by a timely block by the Puerto Rican defence.
Still seeking the equalizer, Barbados made two further substitutions, bringing on midfielder Jomo Harris in the 70th minute for Daniel Griffith and Okeski Ledeatte in the 80th minute for Romario Harewood.
But the efforts of the young Bajan Tridents were further set back when a Juan Coca shot in the 82nd minute beat Hynam, who failed to push the ball over the cross bar. (EZS)
Starting?line-up: Joshua Hynam (goalkeeper), Ricardio Morris (captain), Miles Norville, Diquan Adamson, Taurean Greenidge, Daniel Griffith (Jomo Harris, 70th), Kemar Headley, Amal Mayers, Romario Harewood (Okeski Ledeatte, 80th), Jabarry Nicholls, Shaquille Stewart (Kyle Coppin, 47th).
