Antigua storm back to draw with Haiti in CFU clash

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (CMC) – An outstanding performance by goalkeeper Molvin James inspired Antigua and Barbuda and allowed them to resurrect from a two-goal deficit to force a two-all draw against Haiti as Group B in the final round of the 2014 Caribbean Cup kicked-off here Wednesday night.

James turned in a memorable display to frustrate the Haitians who led two-nil at the interval but failed to score again as the resurgent Antiguans rebounded with two second half goals, at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.
Myles Weston and Peter Byers replied for Antigua, scoring within minutes of each other after Jean Alcenat and Kervens Belfort found the nets for Haiti heading into half-time.
The 25-year-old Antiguan custodian’s ability to stop goals throughout the match was a major highlight that proved pivotal despite significant improvement in his team’s offensive display in the final 45 minutes.
James blocked a stinging 30-yard free kick by Belfort, before following it up with a pair of quick-fire stops.
Later, he conjured up another miraculous block, but suffered an injury that required medical attention but remained in the game.
His only error of the night resulted in Haiti’s first goal, giving the ball away in the box and allowing an unforgiving Alcenat to tap home for a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
In the 36th minute, James pulled off an astonishing save to a powerful shot from Pascal Millien that rebounded to Belfort who stroked it home from eight yards out.
Antigua emerged from the break a different team as Calaum Jahraldo-Martin initiated the comeback in the 58th minute by working his way into the box.
The ball slipped across the defence to a waiting Weston on the right who found the back of the net with his left foot from 10 yards.
Two minutes later, Weston was again part of another attack delivering a left-sided cross that enabled Byers to head past goalkeeper Jhony Placide from just outside the six-yard box.
Haiti returns to action today against Martinique, while Antigua will face hosts Jamaica.

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