Wildey, BRB. - An early goal from Maykel Reyes was enough for Cuba to get past Barbados 1-0 in a Concacaf Nations League League B Group A contest on Thursday night at the Wildey Turf.
After Cuba MF Willian Pozo recovered possession wide and passed into the box, FW Luis Paradela tried to control the ball but saw it deflected. The ball fell to Reyes’ feet, and he was able to control and finish past Barbados GK Liam Brathwaite.
The job hardly was done for the visitors, however. In the 33rd minute, Barbados MF Omani Leacock picked the pocket of Cuba DF Yosel Piedra and was off and running the other way. The center back was forced to bring him down from behind, earning his second yellow card in three minutes and a red card that meant Cuba would defend its lead with 10 men for an hour.
The Bajan Tridents looked for an equalizing goal that would’ve earned them their first point of the CNL, but weren’t able to beat Cuba GK Sandy Sanchez.
There was an opportunity in the 84th minute, when a chipped ball over the top from the edge of the penalty area nearly got to Barbados FW Ryan Trotman, one of several attacking changes manager Orlando Da Costa made. But Sanchez was quick off his line to scoop up the ball and keep the clean sheet.
Cuba stays atop the group and will look to earn promotion to League A when it hosts Guadeloupe on Sunday, while Barbados closes out the tournament with a trip to face Antigua and Barbuda at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
