Guadeloupe take charge in second half to beat Bahamas

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida – Guadeloupe used a strong second half performance to down Bahamas 2-0 in the First Round of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup Prelims on Saturday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Guadeloupe advance to the Second Round of the Prelims, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s Guatemala-Guyana contest.

The first half produced a highlight reel of top goalkeeping, beginning with Guadeloupe No.1 Yohann Thurman making a double-save in the first minute of play, denying Wood Julmis on a header and then blocking the follow up from Marcel Joseph.

Next, it was Bahamas GK Ian Lowe’s turn, as he made a kick-save to deny Raphael Mirval in the 18’ and then a parry of Matthias Phaeton’s lowly-driven shot in the 31’.

Guadeloupe’s efforts would finally pay off in the 61’ when a cut-back pass from the right flank rolled perfectly for Phaeton, who fired a right-footed shot into net to give Guadeloupe a 1-0 lead.

The Phaeton goal provided a boost for Les Gwada Boys and Mirval was able to double the advantage, 2-0, in the 67’ with a header that beat Lowe.

Bahamas looked to get a goal back to spark a comeback attempt, but the Guadeloupe defense stood firm and nailed down the clean sheet victory.