By BVIFA
Eduard Moss opening the scoring for the BVI against Dominica in first leg of Round 1 World Cup Qualifier. Photo: BVIFA
The BVI Men’s National team went down 3-2, to Dominica on Thursday 26th March in the first leg of Round 1 of Qualifying for the World Cup 2018.
Dominating for large parts of the first half in front of a large, boisterous crowd, the BVI went ahead in the 42nd minute when Jordan Johnson played the perfect cross into the path of Eduard Moss, who finished superbly from just outside the box.
The lead, though, was short lived as right on the stroke of half time, Glenworth Elizee was on hand to volley home a loose ball following a long throw, which caught the BVI defense napping and an overhead kick from Julian Wade.
Jordan Johnson smashed home a volley from 20 yards out to restore the BVI’s advantage, ten minutes into the second half, but Mitchell Joseph equalized 14 minutes later, following a scintillating run by Randolph Peltier.
Peltier would go on to cause havoc down the Dominica left and then break the deadlock with less than ten minutes to go, steaming down the middle to outpace the BVI defense, round the goal keeper and slot home the game’s winner and give Dominica a 3-2 victory.
“It was a great finish, but I have to give it all to Jordan,” said Moss. “I didn’t have to break my stride at all and very happy to hit the back of the net
“Overall I’m not happy with my individual performance, but the boys played well and will put it all together for Sunday Night.”
The second leg will take place at 5pm on Sunday, at the same venue, with the BVI needing to win by at least two clear goals.
Dominica’s Coach, Shane Marshall noted, “The BVI team has changed completely and we suffered with poor touches early in the game, but we have a habit of beating the BVI. As long as we correct those mistakes we will win convincingly on Sunday.”
“It’s bitterly disappointing,” said Jordan Johnson. “It was good to score a goal, but that means nothing. All the boys believed we would get a positive result but we can pick ourselves up and I believe we have an opportunity still to progress to the next stage”
BVI Coach, Avondale Williams was pleased with the overall performance but concerned with fitness levels, “A lack of fitness came into play in the last 15 minutes and we didn’t have a strong bench to turn to. But we will go back to the drawing board and come back better on Sunday. I’m confident we will get the job done, come back revitalized, take our chances and come out victorious.”
