Barbados came out victorious in a physical contest over Cuba, 1-0, on Friday night at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex on St. Croix, opening the door for the U.S. Virgin Islands to advance in the first round of Olympic qualifiers when the home team faces Barbados Sunday afternoon.
In Friday’s match, Nicoli Brathwaite of Barbados nearly scored goal worthy of a Sports Center Top 10 after his rocket of a long-range effort hit the crossbar in the 63rd minute. But fortunately for Barbados, Kaeson Trench was able to capitalize on the rebound for the game’s only goal.
Video of Braithwaite’s dramatic shot and Trench’s decisive followup is online here.
This gives USVI a chance to advance Sunday when it faces Barbados at the Complex at 5:30 p.m.
The Virgin Islands would advance automatically with any win other than 1-0 because they would have scored more goals than Cuba and Barbados.
If the Virgin Islands wins 1-0, all three teams would be level on points and the next tie breaker is goals scored. The Virgin Islands and Cuba would both have three goals scored and the next tiebreaker for the teams would be which team has fewer yellow cards.
Barbados would advance with a win or draw on Sunday.
Tickets for Sunday’s game are $10 for adults and $5 for children younger than 12 and can be purchased at the field beginning at 4:30 on Sunday.
