Dominica top DR in Digicel Cup
Published:Wednesday | October 20, 2010 | 12:00 AM
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CMC):
A 71st-minute strike propelled Dominica to a surprise 1-0 win over hosts Dominican Republic and into the second round of the Digicel Caribbean Cup on Sunday night.
Elmond Derrick's header mid-way during the second half was all Dominica needed to silence the crowd at the Pan-American Stadium and finish on top Group D in the competition.
Both teams had annihilated the British Virgin Islands and knew the result of the encounter would decide who progressed to the next round.
The Dominican Republic started brightly and almost went ahead in the 28th minute, when Darling Batista went close with a diving header, following a cross from the right.
Finger-tip save
Dominica's Glenson Price then kept his side alive when he produced a finger-tip save to keep out Inoel Navarro just before half-time.
The Eastern Caribbean side remained well organised defensively, however, and continued to frustrate the DR.
They turned the game on its head in the 71st minute, when Derrick eluded his markers to head home a corner at the back post and put the Dominicans ahead.
The hosts then threw all their players forward in search of an equaliser. But Price was brilliant between the uprights, ensuring Dominica progressed to Group G where they will now face Antigua, Cuba and Suriname in Antigua next month.