(ABOVE) Action from the international friendly between the host Dominican Republic and the Cayman Islands on May 13, 2015, in Santo Domingo
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- The Dominican Republic scored three goals in each half to earn a 6-0 win over the visiting Cayman Islands in an international friendly on Wednesday at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez.
The Dominicans are preparing to face Belize next month in the second round of CONCACAF qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup. The Cayman Islands were eliminated from contention for a place at Russia 2018 by the Belizeans in March.
Since the match was played outside of the FIFA calendar, Dominican head Jose Eugenio Hernandez used the opportunity to observe players from the Liga Dominicana de Fútbol Banco Popular.
The host took a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute, when Barcelona Atletico’s Kerbi Rodriguez struck off a long throw-in from Domingo Taveras.
Jean Carlos Lopez capitalized on indecision in the Caymanian defense four minutes later to double the advantage, while Derlin Batista – captaining the squad for the first time – made it 3-0 in the 45th minute.
After the break, Hernandez made multiple changes, but the level of offensive productivity was sustained.
Jose Oscar Valerio of Atletico Vega Real struck twice, putting away a rebound of an attempt that was initially saved by the Cayman goalkeeper and then finishing a splendid combination between Diego Ceara and Kevin Almosny.
Aneurys Feliz punctuated the scoreline in the first minute of stoppage time.
