CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship hosts Bahamas wrapped up top spot in Group A with their third win of the tournament as Lesly St. Fleur’s hat-trick ensured a 3-2 win over Jamaica.
“Bahamas wrapped up top spot in Group A with their third win of the tournament as Lesly St. Fleur’s…”
CONCACAF BEACH SOCCER Championship hosts Bahamas wrapped up top spot in Group A with their third win of the tournament as Lesly St. Fleur’s hat-trick ensured a 3-2 win over Jamaica.
Both sides were guaranteed quarter-final places before kick-off but, with first place on offer, it was Jamaica who battle back from a goal down to lead.
However, two further strikes from Bahamas’ star man St. Fleur made sure of the points in the final match of the group.
Despite heavy rain in Nassau, crowds flocked to Malcolm Park and witnessed a hectic start to proceedings before St. Fleur turned nicely and fired low past Krik Porter.
However, the home crowd were quietened somewhat when Rohan Reid levelled for the visitors at the start of what proved another keenly contested exchange.
With top spot at stake, neither side were eager to take risks, as St. Fleur almost added a second when his effort hit the post midway through the period.
However, it was Jamaica who drew blood next as as Daemion Benjamin’s effort took a nick in the sand and beat Ivan Rolle.
The lead lasted a matter of seconds, as St. Fleur shook off his marker and rolled in his second to set up an enthralling final period.
The chances continued to flow at both ends, each side hitting the crossbar, before St. Fleur sent a low free-kick flying underneath Porter in the Jamaica goal to settle a classic contest.
Goals: 1-0: St. Fleur, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Rohan Reid, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Benjamin, min. 2 (2); 2-2: St. Fleur, min. 2 (2); 3-2: St. Fleur, min. 2 (3)
Fixtures/results
Wednesday, 22nd February
13.45 – US Virgin Islands 1-5 Trinidad and Tobago
15.00 – Antigua and Barbuda 2-7 USA
16.15 – Panama (1) 4-4 (2) El Salvador
17.30 – Belize 1-4 Guyana
18.45 – Turks and Caicos Islands 2-8 Costa Rica
20.00 – Bahamas 3-2 Jamaica
Thursday, 23rd February
13.45 – Canada v Guadeloupe
15.00 – Antigua and Barbuda v US Virgin Islands
16.15 – Mexico v Barbados
17.30 – El Salvador v Costa Rica
18.45 – Panama v Turks and Caicos Islands
20.00 – USA v Trinidad and Tobago
