Any chance Saint Lucia might have had of winning Group C in the Concacaf Under-20 men’s Qualifiers evaporated on Sunday, March 1, as the young Piton Boyz fell to the Dominican Republic 5-0 at Complejo Deportivo FCRF-Plycem in San Rafael de Alajuela, Costa Rica. Saint Lucia remain third in the five-team group.
The Windward Islanders made three personnel changes from the previous match. Joshua George replaced Rohan Vitalis on the left side of the back three, Messiah Pinel returned to the starting lineup and Edrick Popo, who scored off the bench in the 3-0 win over Dominica, also made the first XI. Niyel Fontenelle and Kevin Blackstock Jr were left out.
An eventful first 45 minutes got underway with a statement of intent from the Dominicans, several of whom are with academies in the US and Spain. They got their first shot off within the first minute. Two heavy challenges on Saint Lucian captain Eymani Butcher resulted in a booking and two free kicks inside of six minutes.
Los Quisqueyanos truly began to assert themselves in the 21st minute. Luis Lopez connected on a beautiful cross from Nicolas Bobea. Their roles were reversed nine minutes later as Lopez played Bobea in to double the lead. In between, Saint Lucia’s woes were compounded as Marcus Paul was stretchered off after an opposition player fell on his ankle.
Lopez was again involved in the third goal, earning a penalty kick as he was tackled from behind. Cristian Ortiz of the Tampa Bay Rowdies stepped up to make it 3-0 going into halftime. There were two more goals in a more circumspect second half. Emmanuel Ramos netted in the 58th, and Deivi Marte in the 83rd.
Saint Lucia now have a win and two losses. They end their campaign on Tuesday, March 3, against the winless British Virgin Islands. Antigua & Barbuda will play the Dominican Republic to decide the group winners.
(TF)
