Isidor happy with late goal, assists against T&T

Wilson Isidor was the man of the moment for Haiti as he scored a late winner in time added to secure all three points for Haiti in the Concacaf National League – League A as they turned back Trinidad and Tobago 3-2 yesterday at Sabina Park.

Haiti took the lead in the 23rd minute through Fafà Picault before Trinidad pulled level in the 31st minute with a goal from Wayne Frederick.

Levi Garcia handed Trinidad the lead in the 58th minute before Garven-Michee Metusala levelled the game for Haiti in the 90th minute then Isidor confirmed the win in time added.

After the game, Isidor said he was pleased with his performance but said there is more the team will need to work on for the upcoming games.

“I’m very happy. I got two assists and I scored the winning goal, so I’m very happy about it,” he said.

“I think we missed intensity sometimes in our transition. We know that Costa Rica are going to be a tough opposition but we are going to give everything.”

Haiti took control of the game from the opening whistle, pressing the Trinidadians back with their passing game.

They took a deserved lead in the opening half-hour when a floated ball into the box was met by Picault who headed home from close range.

Trinidad pulled level soon after when Frederick was left free in the box to cushion a low-driven volley into the back of the net from a free-kick delivery.

Haiti looked to have regained the lead early in the second half when Dany Jean broke free on a counterattack, but dragged his shot wide of the far post at the crucial moment.

Minutes later, Trinidad had an identical chance through Levi Garcia breaking free down the right flank, but just like Jean, he dragged his shot wide of the far post.

Isidor came close to restoring Haiti’s lead in the 58th minute when he swivelled in the box and produced a shot that was inches away from the net.

But it was Trinidad that took the lead against the run of play, when Garcia, in a dead sprint to the ball, lifted it over the head of Haitian goalkeeper Alexandre Pierre who was caught off his line.

Haiti went searching for the equaliser and came close in the 72nd minute when a header from Hannes Delcroix forced a diving save from substitute Trinidadian goalkeeper Jabari Brice.

Haiti continued to press and Isidor again came close to scoring to pull his team level.

The Sunderland striker used his turn of pace to burst past his marker before cutting back the ball onto his right foot.

With some fancy footwork, he fired at goal and saw his shot hit both posts before being cleared off the line by the Trinidadian backline.

Haiti eventually got their equalising goal late in the game through a well-time run from Garven-Michee Metusala.

A delivery into the box was headed back across the goal by Isidor, meeting the onrushing Metusala who finished from close range.

Isidor then completed the comeback when he was on hand at the back post to head home a delivery into the box.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com