FRISCO, Texas, CMC – Two first half goals were enough to hand Haiti a 2-0 victory over Nicaragua and a spot in the next round of the CONCACAF Gold Cup but Bermuda were once again made to pay for their wastefulness as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Costa Rica here Thursday night.
In the first game of the doubleheader at Toyota Stadium, Steeven Saba netted in the 22nd minute and Derrick Etienne in the 34th, as Haiti marched to their second win in Group B.
Saba scored from the edge of the 15-yard box, driving a low shot through a cluster of defenders after being fed by Duckens Nazon from a central position.
And Etienne doubled the French side’s advantage when he worked his way around the box and shot from 10 yards out, the ball taking a deflection off Manuel Rosas before finding its way into the back of the nets. The victory took Haiti to six points and second in the group to Costa Rica only on goal difference.
Bermuda, meanwhile, started strongly and like in their opener against Haiti last Sunday, failed to cash in on the opportunities they created.
Willie Clemons blasted wide from eight yards after being set up by Reggie Lambe in the 16th minute and Lambe had a great chance just three minutes later from close range but was denied by a low save from goalkeeper Leonel Moreira.
George then put Costa Rica ahead against the run of play in the 30th minute, stabbing home a rebound after goalkeeper Dave Eve had saved from Celso Borges, following Elias Aguilar’s corner kick.
And it was Aguilar who doubled the lead with a powerful left-footed volley from just inside the left corner of the 15-yard box in the 54th minute.
England-based striker Nahki Wells halved the deficit for Bermuda from the spot in the 59th minute but the Caribbean side failed to find the precious equaliser.
