FORT-DE-FRANCE – Barbados conjured up an inspired second half performance to hammer Bonaire 4-1 and advance to the next stage of the Caribbean Cup football qualifiers here Sunday.
Following a goalless first half at Stade Pierre-Aliker, Barbados found their stride after the break with Mario Harte scoring twice inside three minutes late on, to put the seal on an impressive outing.
Barbados finished second in Group 3, behind Martinique who were easy group winners with seven points, despite their nil-all draw with Suriname in the other game.
Starting the final series of matches with a single point and staring elimination in the face, Barbados seemed on their way out when the first half finished goalless.
However, England-based defender Emmerson Boyce put them ahead in the 55th minute before gifted attacking midfielder Romario Harewood doubled the lead 12 minutes later.
Harte then struck in the 73rd and 77th minutes to put the contest far out of Bonaire’s reach.
Yurick Seinpaal’s 90th minute penalty did nothing to cushion the pain of Bonaire’s defeat.
In Group 4 in Puerto Rico, Grenada crashed out when they could only draw 2-2 with Puerto Rico as French Guiana and Curacao progressed to the next round after fighting to a goalless draw.
Playing at the Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium, Grenada were twice forced to come from behind in order to grab a share of the points.
They were behind in the 29th minute when Hector Ramos netted but they were back on level terms ten minutes after the break when Terry James equalised.
Puerto Rico again went ahead thanks to Alex Oikkonen but for Queen’s Park Rangers hitman Kitson Bain got the equaliser five minutes from time, to spare Grenada blushes. Grenada finished bottom of the group on two points.
In Group 5 at the Antigua Recreation Ground, host nation Antigua & Barbuda finished unbeaten with nine points as they came from behind to defeat a well organised St Vincent & Grenadines team 2-1.
In the earlier encounter, Dominican Republic hammered Anguilla 10-0.
In Group 6 at Warner Park in Basseterre, St Kitts & Nevis advanced as group winners along with St Lucia as they both ended on seven points.
St Lucia defeated Dominica by 2-1 as Magnum Vilcin opened the scoring in the 13th minute of play. Julian Wade then equalised for Dominica in the 68th but Vilcin scored his second of the night in the 76th minute to give St Lucia victory.
Host nation St Kitts & Nevis blanked Guyana 2-0, courtesy second half goals from Zephaniah Thomas (53rd) and Atiba Harris (60th).
The Dominican Republic also advanced to the next stage as the best third place team. (CMC/EZS)
