Cuba’s 3-2 comeback victory over Trinidad and Tobago highlighted a very exciting day of hockey in the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games, which saw both Dominican Republic and Mexico registering comfortable wins in Men’s competition and Barbados securing their first victory in the Women’s section.

Barbados registered their first win when they beat Jamaica 1-0 in the rescheduled Pool A Women’s match to end the day in 3rd place. Barbados dominated possession for most of the game and got the winning goal when Cher KING converted a penalty corner two minutes before the end of the first half. KING’s missed penalty stroke in the second half gave Jamaica some hope however they were unable to convert any of their chances and Barbados came away with the 3 points. Jamaica, who are winless in two games, now sit at the bottom of the table in Pool A.

In Pool A in the Men’s competition, Jeffery MONCION’s second half hatrick led Dominican Republic to a resounding 8-0 victory in their second match against Guatemala and their first victory at the Games. 

Guatemala defended well and limited the Dominican Republic to 1 goal which was scored by Jorge NIVAR in the first half. However they were completely overrun by a rampant Dominican Republic, led by MONCION who in a blinding 10 minute spell, scored his three goals. Francisco GARCIA, Hugo CRUZ, Michael LOPEZ and Francisco BLANCO each added 1 goal to the total.

The most exhilarating match of the day was the Cuba men’s team come from behind 3-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago to claim the lead in Pool A with maximum points from 2 games. Trinidad went into half time with a comfortable 2-0 lead with a goal from Jordan REYNOS and cracking reverse stick goal by Shaquille DANIEL.

Cuba’s most capped player Yandy BLANCO drove his team to victory with 2 goals in the second half, the latter a thunderous shot into top left corner, which could easily be a contender for the goal of the tournament. Alain BARADJI who scored the equalizing goal also got his name on the score sheet.

Cuba are well on the way to booking a spot in the semi-final round and could be joined by either the Dominican Republic or Trinidad and Tobago.

Mexico moved on to the semi-final round when they beat Barbados 4-2 in their final Pool B Men’s match. The home team built up a 3-1 lead at the end of the first half with Luis ESTRADA, Francisco AGUILAR and Edgar BORQUEZ scoring a goal each. Shonkeel WHARTON pulled a goal back for Barbados.

Mexico put the game away when Pol MORENO added another goal to his team’s tally. Barbados fought until the end and got a second goal when Akeem RUDDER scored with two minutes to go in the match.

 

2nd place Barbados will face 3rd place Jamaica on 20 November 2014 at 3:30pm to determine which team will join Mexico in the semi-final round.