Bermuda stun T&T in World Cup qualifier

NEW YORK, United States (CMC):

Caribbean powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago suffered a shock defeat while Guyana remained unbeaten with an away win in Barbados, in the latest round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers on Friday.

T&T, only the second English-speaking side to qualify for a World Cup final after reaching Germany 2006, were a shadow of themselves and lost 2-1 in Hamilton on a cool and blustery night at the National Sports Centre.

After a goalless first half in the Group B contest, Antwan Russell fired Bermuda ahead in the 53rd minute, and 10 minutes later Nahki Wells doubled their lead before Kevin Molino pulled a goal back in the 81st minute.

Guyana, meanwhile, had no such problems but left it late before they could dispose of hapless Barbados 2-0 at the National Stadium in Bridgetown.

Substitute Anthony Abrams put the visitors ahead in the 73rd and captain Christopher Nurse added a second three minutes from time to send Guyana to the top of Group B on nine points.

The defeat for Barbados, meanwhile, was their third straight, and it virtually eliminated them from the qualifying series.

Elsewhere, Haiti swamped the US Virgin Islands 7-0 on the road to remain unbeaten and head Group F on nine points.

Impressive Antigua and Barbuda also remained unbeaten, edging Curaçao 1-0 in Willemstad through a Tamarley Thomas 74th-minute strike, to keep pace with Haiti in Group F.

Surprise

The surprise of the night came, however, as underdogs Bermuda went into the match needing a victory after losing their opening two qualifiers on the road - 1-0 in Port-of-Spain and 2-0 against Guyana at Providence Stadium.

Stoke City striker Kenwyne Jones, who got the winner in Port-of-Spain, was one of several notable absentees from the visitors' line-up through injury or unavailability.

The Soca Warriors, with the wind at their backs, were forced to make an early substitution with Hayden Tinto replaced by Hughtun Hector, while Bermuda's substitute goalkeeper Tahj Bell was shown a red card while on the bench after the referee consulted the fourth official, but it was not immediately clear what Bell's offence was.