MIAMI.- A goal by Dominican Republic MF Carlos Heredia from an indirect free kick in the 94th minute secured a point for the visitors in a 1-1 draw at French Guiana in League B Group D at the Stade Dr. Edmard Lama on Thursday night.
Dominican Republic GK Antonio Santurro had a strong match, becoming the first goalkeeper to keep French Guiana FW Joel Sarrucco off the scoresheet this tournament and making strong stops in the 26th and 66th minutes. But he was beaten by a long free kick from Jean-David Legrand that bounced between the shot-stopper and his defensive line on the wet field.
French Guiana remains unbeaten this tournament, but after a first half controlled by the visitors, that mark was in question. The task got even more difficult in the 69th minute when MF Miguel Haabo saw his second yellow and Les Yana Dokos went down to 10 men.
Nevertheless, French Guiana thought it had the winning goal in the 85th minute, when a long free kick goal from Legrand pushed 10-man French Guiana ahead 1-0.
Yet, with Heredia’s shot off the quick touch from a teammate beating French Guiana GK Donovan Leon, the teams both take a point from the contest.
French Guiana now hit the road to Guatemala, while the Dominican Republic will host Belize, hoping to still have a path to get into Gold Cup qualification.
