MACOYA, Trinidad (CMC) – Andre Toussaint hit a double but it was not enough to save Joe Public from a 3-2 defeat to Guatemala’s Municipal, as their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League all but evaporated on Thursday night. The 29-year-old national striker netted in either half to first give Joe Public the lead and then pull them level, but Sergio Guevara’s injury-time winner crushed the hosts at the Marvin Lee Stadium.
Rocked early by the loss of Kareem Moses to a harsh red card, a spirited Joe Public battled for 79 minutes with just 10 men and just failed to carve out a victory that would have seen them remain alive in the tournament.
The loss left Joe Public rock bottom in Group B on a single point, while Municipal moved to five points with MLS side Columbus Crew at the top of the standings on nine points.
Despite going down a man in the 11th minute, Joe Public were bold going forward and were rewarded four minutes later when they took the lead from a well-worked goal.
Toussaint played in Kerry Baptiste who returned the favour for Toussaint to send a rasping volley from the top of the box in at the far post.
Municipal equalised two minutes later when Ramirez finished off Marvin Avila’s pass, expertly picking his spot in a sea of defenders.
The scoreline remained 1-1 at halftime but Municipal wasted little time in taking the lead on resumption, as Ramirez added his second, thanks to Gonzalo Romero’s pass after Joe Public had given up possession in a dangerous area.
Gason Gregory hit the post in the 65th minute for Joe Public but Toussaint was on target two minutes later when he squeezed in a corner kick at the near post.
Both teams then traded blows before Guevara left-footer beat Joe Public goalkeeper Marvin Phillip in the second minute of injury time.