Bermuda shock T&T as Guyana, Antigua march on
NEW YORK, United States, (CMC) – Powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago suffered a shock defeat while Guyana remained unbeaten with an away win in Barbados, in the latest round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

T&T, only the second English-speaking side to qualify for a World Cup finals after reaching Germany 2006, were a shadow of themselves and lost 2-1 in Hamilton on a cool and blustery night at the National Sports Centre.

After a goal-less first half in the Group B contest, Antwan Russell fired Bermuda ahead in the 53rd minute and 10 minutes later Nahki Wells doubled their lead before
Kevin Molino pulled a goal back in the 81st minute.

Guyana, meanwhile, had no such problems but left it late before they could dispose of hapless Barbados 2-0 at the National Stadium in Bridgetown.

Substitute Anthony Abrams put the visitors ahead in the 73rd and captain Christopher Nurse added a second three minutes from time to send Guyana to the top of Group B on nine points.

The defeat for Barbados, meanwhile, was their third straight and it virtually eliminated them from the qualifying series.

Elsewhere, Haiti swamped the US Virgin Islands 7-0 on the road to remain unbeaten and head Group F on nine points.

Impressive Antigua and Barbuda also remained unbeaten, edging Curacao 1-0 in Willemstad through a Tamarley Thomas 74th minute strike, to keep pace with Haiti in Group F.

The surprise of the night came, however, as underdogs Bermuda went into the match needing a victory after losing their opening two qualifiers on the road – 1-0 in Port of Spain and 2-0 against Guyana at Providence Stadium.

Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, who got the winner in Port of Spain, was one of several notable absentees from the visitors’ line-up through injury or unavailability.

The Soca Warriors, with the wind at their backs, were forced to make an early substitution with Hayden Tinto replaced by Hughtun Hector, while Bermuda’s substitute goalkeeper Tahj Bell was shown a red card while on the bench after the referee consulted the fourth official but it was no immediately clear what Bell’s offence was.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Khaleem Hyland was shown a yellow card in the 40th minute for dangerous play before the hosts almost took the lead.

Lashun Dill then saw a right-footed shot crash back off the crossbar and Wells’ follow-up shot flew over.

Wells, a striker with English Division Two club Bradford City, then had a shot from just outside the box saved by goalkeeper Marvin Phillip.

Five minutes into the second half Andre Manders fired just over the bar following a corner but the home fans did not have long to wait for success, with Russell scoring from close range.

A ball forward from Manders found Russell in the middle and he held off his marker to net from inside the six-yard box.

In the 57th minute Trinidad and Tobago came close to equalising through Stern John but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Freddy Hall. A minute later John was replaced by Devorn Jorsling.

In the 63rd minute Wells stunned the visitors by adding a second with a left-footed strike that flew into the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Kevaughn Connell replaced Osei Telesford in the 68th minute and Bermuda’s Damon Ming replaced Lashon Dill. In the 79th minute Chris Caisey replaced Wells.

Two minutes later Trinidad and Tobago cut the deficit as Molino bundled the ball over the line to set up a nervous finale for the home side.

But Bermuda hung on to score a famous victory over more illustrious opponents.

Grenada were also in winners’ row, beating Belize 4-1 in Belmopan but they were heavy losses for other Eastern Caribbean countries as Dominica were thrashed 5-0 by Panama in Roseau, and St Lucia were swamped 7-0 by Canada in Gros Islet, with Jamaica-born striker Simeon Jackson netting a hat-trick.