The Grenada Senior Men’s National team ended their first in a series of 3 international friendlies against Barbados with a one-all draw at the Fond Playing Field, St Patrick.
The match saw Team Grenada creating many opportunities to score but failing to convert until extra time in the second half. Grenada’s captain Jamal Ray Charles was awarded a penalty in the 90+1 minute after a foul in the 18-yard box. His penalty kick was deflected by the Barbados keeper but Charles wasted no time in netting the rebound.
However, just 2 minutes after the Grenada celebration, #9 for Barbados Tajio James surprised the Grenada defence to find the back of the net in the 90+3 minute of play.
Following the match, Grenada Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Anthony ‘Nixon’ Modeste said while it was the team’s first engagement since last year, it was a match Grenada should have won. “We threw away numerous chances and we scored late, which is something we need to work on and grow from. However, I believe we will come back stronger in the next match.”
Goal scorer and captain for Grenada Jamal Ray Charles said it was a good feeling to score for his country again, but a lapse in concentration cost them the win. He said, “Going forward, we will correct our mistakes and do much better in the upcoming matches.”
The upcoming friendlies will occur at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium at 7 pm on Friday, 24 February, and the Cuthbert Peters Park, Gouyave at 4 pm on Sunday, 26 February. The matches on the 24th and 26th are FIFA and Concacaf sanctioned. The international friendlies are part of the Senior Men’s National team’s preparation for their upcoming Concacaf Nations League match against the USA on 24 March, 8 pm at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
Before the 24 March encounter, Grenada is expected to also engage the St Lucia Senior Men’s team and the La Horquetta Rangers out of Trinidad in the following friendlies:
- 3 March: Grenada vs St Lucia
- 5 March: Grenada vs St Lucia
- 7 March: St Lucia vs La Horquetta Rangers
- 10 March: Grenada vs La Horquetta Rangers
- 12 March: Grenada vs La Horquetta Rangers
GFA
