PORT SPAIN – Group A of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup kicked off on Thursday with a 1-1 draw between Defence Force of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaican side Cavalier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
Defence Force could not have asked for a better start, as they grabbed a 1-0 lead less than six minutes into the match, beginning on a nicely played pass from Jelani Felix up to Reon Moore, who beat a defender on the left wing and then fired a right-footed finish into net.
Moore continued to be a headache for the Cavalier defense and almost had his second of the night in the 32’, this time down the right flank, but Cavalier GK Vino Barclett stood tall to make the save.
Cavalier would be presented with a golden opportunity to get back on level terms in the 38’ when Shaniel Thomas was fouled in the area by Defence Force GK Christopher Biggette, resulting in a penalty. Thomas assumed penalty duties and calmly slotted home the spot kick to make it 1-1.
The flow of play going into the final half was even, with the three points there for the taking for either side.
Defence Force started to impose their will as full-time neared and peppered the Cavalier area with shots, but the visiting defense would not budge, as the two sides emerged with a hard-fought point to open the tournament.
