BACOLET, Tobago, CMC – Hosts Trinidad and Tobago made a disappointing start to their Group Eight semi-final campaign of the Caribbean Cup when they were held to a draw by St Vincent and the Grenadines here Wednesday.
Playing in the feature game of the doubleheader at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, T&T scored first but SVG hit back to ensure a share of the points in a 1-1 draw.
In the other game, Cuba crushed Suriname 5-0 to move to the top of the group ahead of T&T and SVG, both on a single point after their stalemate.
Striker Devon Jorsling raised the hopes of the host team when he put them ahead in the third minute. However, Myron Samuel pulled SVG level with a 24th minute strike that carried the game into the half-time interval deadlocked.
The second half brought no change in fortune for either side and when the final whistle came, both teams were still on even terms.
For Trinidad and Tobago, it was the first draw in 12 meetings between the two teams after having won eight of the previous encounters.
Meanwhile, Marcel Hernandez scored two goals in each half to power Cuba past Suriname. He struck in the sixth minute and then added goals in the 36th, 62nd and 89th minutes while Ariel Gonzales netted another in the 46th minute.
The victory ensured Cuba broke a recent winless run that stretched back to over a year and included 13 outings.
In the next series of matches here Friday, St. Vincent face Cuba while Trinidad take on Suriname.
