MIAMI, United States (CMC) – Barbados used first-half goals to undermine Aruba while St Lucia produced a stirring performance to come from behind and get the better of Antigua and Barbuda in the first leg of second-round matches in the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday.While Barbados ran out easy winners over Aruba in Oranjestad, St Lucia pulled out all the stops to beat Antigua 3-1 in St John’s.
In other games played, Guyana held St Vincent and the Grenadines to a 2-2 stalemate in Kingstown while in Willemstad, Curacao held Cuba to a nil-all draw.
Facing a difficult tie at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Prospero Trinidad, Barbados broke local hearts when they scored twice early on to take control of the contest.
They opened their account though Mario Harte in the 18th minute before doubling their lead ten minutes later through captain Emmerson Boyce, the England-based professional.
Barbados had Akeene Browne sent off in the second half but still managed to seal the result, ahead of tomorrow’s second leg in Bridgetown.
At the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, the hosts went ahead in the 21st minute when Tavaughn Harriette netted. The lead held for just five minutes, however, when Tremain Paul equalised, leaving the contest an open one at the half-time whistle.
The visitors took command in the second half, however, with David Henry finding the nets in the 61st minute and Troy Greenidge making sure of the points in stoppage time at the end.