MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Cardiff City striker Kenwyne Jones scored two second half goals as Trinidad and Tobago outlasted a spirited Curacao 3-2 to open their CFU Caribbean Cup campaign on a high note here Tuesday.
The former Stoke and Southampton frontman got on the scoresheet first in the 26th minute to level the scores after T&T had fallen behind 0-1 thanks to a Rihairo Meulens 18th minute strike.
Jones’s second goal came seven minutes before half-time, handing the multiple-time champions a 2-1 lead at the break.
Afterward, Gianluca Maria levelled for Curacao in the 48th minute but Kevin Molino broke the headlock four minutes later, a goal that would prove to be the game winner. The victory lifted T&T to the top of Group A as title-holders Cuba conceded a stoppage time goal to draw 1-1 with French Guiana in the other game played.
Starting their bid for their ninth Caribbean Cup title, T&T suffered a relatively early shock when Meulens ran on to a ball played over the top and volleyed into the back of the net, leaving diving goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams without a chance.
T&T, however, held their nerve and were soon back on level terms.
From a right-sided corner kick, Jones was pulled down in the box by Shelton Martis and referee Trevor Taylor had no hesitation about pointing to the spot.
Jones then made no mistake from the spot, drilling home for his first goal of the finals and fourth of this year’s competition. T&T continued to press and were rewarded for their enterprise in the 38th minute with Jones the key man again.
The outstanding Molino, who was voted player of the game, fired in a low cross from the left side of the box which goalkeeper Jarzinho Pieter failed to navigate and Jones was on hand to tap in from close range.
T&T could have added to their tally on the stroke of half-time but Pieter produced a superb point bank range save to deny Molino.
Curacao were not deterred and bounced back immediately after the break. Gevaro Nepomuceno went close at the near post but it was half-time substitute Gianluca Maria who found the equaliser.
However, the Dutch celebrations were short-lived as Molino struck moments later at the far post to seal full points for the Trinidadians.
The twin-island republic will be in action again on Thursday when they face French Guiana while Curacao will meet Cuba.
In the feature game, Cuba and French Guiana battled to a nil-all scoreline at half-time before Ariel Martinez broke the deadlock with a delightful chip over advancing goalkeeper Donovan Leon in the 57th minute.
Cuba appeared headed for full points when the game entered stoppage at the end but second-half substitute Michael Solvi struck with seconds left in four minutes of added time, to steal a point for French Guiana.
