In a stunning opening match of the Concacaf Under-17 Men’s Championship qualifiers, Barbados delivered a monumental 1-0 victory against host nation Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday evening. The decisive moment arrived in the 75th minute when forward Adam King expertly headed the ball into the net, breaking the deadlock in a tightly contested Group A encounter.
The Trinidadian squad launched a fierce offensive in the final minutes, nearly equalizing in the 85th minute. However, Barbados goalkeeper Kaliq Lashley emerged as the hero of the match, executing a spectacular save to deny the hosts and preserve his team’s narrow lead. Lashley’s overall performance was exceptional, culminating in four critical saves throughout the match.
Post-match reflections from Trinidad and Tobago coach Randolph Boyce acknowledged his team’s competitive performance but highlighted their inefficiency in converting opportunities into goals. Coach Boyce suggested that the conceded goal might have resulted from a momentary lapse in defensive concentration, coupled with Barbados’s notable physical intensity on the field.
Barbados’s campaign continues with upcoming fixtures against Sint Maarten on Saturday, followed by challenging encounters against Mexico on February 9 and Saint Martin on February 12. In other Group A action, Saint Martin commenced their tournament with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sint Maarten earlier in the day.