Earlier this morning, St Kitts and Nevis played hosts Haiti in the final match of this stage of qualification for the 2014 Caribbean Cup.
The Suga Boyz started this stage of qualification with an opening-game loss to Barbados, which was swiftly followed up with victory over French Guiana, making the Boyz’ task simple, defeat then group leaders Haiti, and they’d go through.
The Haitians, who had opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw with French Guiana, then followed that up with a 4-2 victory over Barbados, only needed a draw, or no-more than a 1-0 defeat to progress.
The game itself started as a scrappy affair, with both sides failing to make use of their possession, the bobbly pitch causing many-a-midfielder to misplace a pass.
Neither ‘keeper was tested as both sides continued to waste possession through much of the first half.
Half-way through the half, St Kitts were awarded a free kick, which, as was the theme of the half, they went on to waste, with a lofted aimless ball.
Following this, Haiti enjoyed a good spell of possession, putting together several nice passing moves but lacked much power upfront, choosing instead to shoot from outside or from the edge of the area.
After just under 28 minutes, Haiti mustered another shot, which went well wide, and gave the ‘keeper nothing to do.
It was the Haitians who had the next chance too, a through ball released the wingman whose cross was guided towards goal, only for a St Kitts defender to cut it out for a corner, which ultimately came to nothing.
Soon after, Walsall’s Romaine Sawyers made a twisting and turning drive to the Haiti area, his pass allowed Thomas to test the Haitian ‘keeper. With ten minutes of the half remaining, St Kitts were awarded a free kick, just wide of the area, this was subsequently gathered by the ‘keeper after the initial clearance was played back in by a SKN center back.
A minute or so later Haiti were awarded a free kick of their own, mid-way into the St Kitts half, this was also wasted as both sides continued to send chances packing. On the 43rd minute Haiti went wide following a corner, St Kitts ‘keeper Francs again, untested.
St Kitts ten won a free kick which was floated into a dangerous area, only to be cleared following a small scramble in the box. Romaine was mainly serving the left side of the field, and was a bright spark when on the ball, making dangerous runs, and looking sharp in attack.
H/T: Haiti 0 St Kitts & Nevis 0
The second half started in similar fashion to the first, both sides were unable to put their stamp on the game, however both did enjoy brief spells of possession. After around five minutes of the half, Haiti were awarded a free kick which was played into the box, the resulting shot was saved well by the St Kitts ‘keeper, for a Haiti corner.
St Kitts then went down the other end, Gerard Williams sending a shot over the bar from a promising position.
Soon after, St Kitts were awarded a free kick, as a strong attack was quelled by a desperate Haiti defender. Sadly, for St Kitts, Zeph Thomas’ free kick was sent straight into the grateful ‘keepers arms.
Almost immediately after Haiti won a free kick in a similar position, they too wasted their chance.
Haiti then went just wide, after a long searching ball found the on-running attackers toe, his tap sending the ball just wide. Just after the hour mark Haiti sent a shot well over the bar after a good spell on the ball. Neither side able to gain control.
Haiti were then awarded another free kick, the dangerous ball being cleared off the line by an alert St Kitts defender. Haiti then wasted their corner, allowing St Kitts to break down the other end and threaten the Haitian box, the ball was eventually cleared after one too many passes.
For the next ten minutes or so, both teams enjoyed spells on the ball, though neither side was able to test the opposition ‘keeper, often wasting the ball in the final third. Haiti then went wide after around 80 minutes, a good attacking run splitting the St Kitts defence.
Haiti then began to use up their substitutions as a time wasting exercise, signalling their happiness with the 0-0 draw. With around three minutes of the match remaining, St Kitts won a free kick, five yards outside the area, Devaughn Elliot’s subsequent kick was taken low into the box, and cleared after a brief panic in the Haiti area.
The Suga Boyz won another free kick shortly after, the resulting ball was over played and ended in a goal kick to Haiti. Haiti went over the bar late on as the St Kitts defence pushed up in search of a winner.
Late on, St Kitts went agonisingly wide, the Haiti ‘keeper all at sea as the ball was played in.
F/T: Haiti 0 St Kitts & Nevis 0
HAITI Point du Jour, J Alcenat, K Jaggy, J Aveska, F Bertin, W Guerrier, Goreux, K Belfort, J Louis, P Milien, S Thuriere
St KITTS & NEVIS J.Francs; G Williams, T Robinson, O Mitchum, Tis Hanley, A Harris, T Leader, M Howe, E O’Loughlin, Z Thomas, R Sawyers