Reprinted from Caribbean Net News
caribbeannetnews.com

Dominican Republic beat Antigua-Barbuda against run of play
11-27-2006

GCC BOURDA, Guyana: The Dominican Republic claimed their first victory in the second round Group H of the Digicel Caribbean Cup against a luckless Antigua and Barbuda side. The Dominican Republic now occupy third place having lost their opening head to head with Guadeloupe in this last second round group qualification process for the CONCACAF Gold Cup

The first half started brightly in the sweltering heat of sunny Guyana before a steadily rising crowd throughout. Antigua under the watchful eye of new Technical Director and former Northern Ireland national team coach Bryan Hamilton came out of the traps early and seemed determined to make amends for their lackluster display on Friday against hosts Guyana.

Fielding a virtually new side from the one that played in their previous Digicel Caribbean Cup game, Antigua passed the ball smartly and looked to take the game to Dominican Republic who fielded a virtually unchanged side from their defeat to Guadeloupe.

After 20 minutes of Antiguan dominance Peter Byers should have made it 1-0 when he was put clean through on goal from a clever reverse pass by George Dublin.

With only Dominican Republic keeper Miguel Lloyd to beat, it seemed that all Byers had to do was direct his pass beyond the advancing custodian. However, Dominican defender Freddy Medina had other thoughts and foiled Byers golden chance with a superbly timed last ditch sliding tackle to ensure parity remained.

Antigua did however have the ball in the net 5 minutes before half time when Ranja Christian followed in Gason Gregory’s wicked 25 yard free kick, which proved too hot for Lloyd to hold onto. Unfortunately for Christian and the Antiguan team, the goal was disallowed after the alert linesman Michael Ragoonath denied the centre forward an opening goal by raising his flag for an offside decision against Antigua.

The second half was only 5 minutes old when Christian yet again had a golden opportunity when he controlled Tamorley Thomas’s cross field pass beautifully on his chest but saw his right footed volley saved superbly by Dominican custodian Lloyd.

With 60 minutes gone the game exploded with action when the Dominican Republic’s substitute striker Jonathan Fana weaved his way into the Antigua box but, from point blank range inside the 6 yard box, saw his effort incredibly saved by Antiguan keeper Carl Joseph.

From the resulting clearance Antigua broke quickly and Peter Byers once again found himself clean through on the Dominican goal but once again failed to score with only the heroic Lloyd to beat.

For all their dominance in possession, Antigua could simply not find that elusive goal, and they were made to pay on 70 minutes when Dominican Republic got the opening goal of the game.

After a fine run and cross from the right by Darly Batista had found Jonathan Fana just inside the box, Antiguan keeper Carl Joseph raced from his line in an effort to thwart the tricky little striker’s goal attempt. However in his eagerness to stop the attack his diving tackle proved more clumsy than effective and resulted in a penalty kick for the Dominican Republic, which was duly dispatched into the Antiguan goal by midfielder Kervin DeJesus.

Dominican Republic grew in confidence and started to enjoy more possession than they had throughout the entire game. This proved decisive as, on 81 minutes, Dominican Republic sealed the result when Yann Carlos Berroa cut through the Antiguan’s now fragile defence before his shot ricocheted off defender Dave Carr for Darly Batista to take the simplest of chances with a tap-in header from 3 yards out.

Having registered their first points of their Group H campaign Dominican Republic now go into their final game against Guyana full of hope for either direct qualification or claiming the third-place play off spot.

Antigua and Barbuda however have it all to play for. With one game remaining, they have to hope for a Guadeloupe victory in the second game of the afternoon in Group H

Antigua & Berbuda: Carl Joseph, Dave Carr, Damean Farrell, Gason Gregory, Ranja Christian, Lennox Julian (Tamorley Thomas 42’), Blair Christian (Jamie Thomas 72’), Karanja Mack, Peter Byers, George Dublin, Trevor Tonge

Dominican Republic: Miguel Lloyd, Franklin Vasquez, Felix Mejia (Pablo Cebalo 60’), Freddy Medina, Flavio Taveras, Kervin DeJesus, Leandro Garcia (Robert Miliano 68’), Luis Corporan (Jonathan Fana 30’), Darly Batista, Yan Carlos Berroa, Italo Acevedo,