RINCON, Bonaire - It was a historic day at the Stadion Antonio Trenidat on Tuesday night. Bonaire fans got to see their team on home soil for the first time ever in a competitive match. But the hosts were unable to secure a victory, and fell 2-1 to the visiting Turks and Caicos Islands.
The pre-match excitement had not even begun to subside when Bonaire took the lead in just the second minute.
Guillermo Montero launched a rocket of a free kick from well outside the penalty area past Turks and Caicos Islands GK Sebastian Turbyfield and into the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a joyous frenzy.
But Turks and Caicos Islands were never going to go quietly. In the 18th minute Billy Forbes ran down the right wing and weaved between three defenders before firing a low shot that crept inside the near post to tie the game at 1-1.
Forbes then gave the visitors the lead in the 40th minute via a long free kick of his own, curling the ball into the top right corner. Both goals from Forbes were nothing short of spectacular.
When Forbes stepped up to take a 54th minute penalty, it felt like the game had gotten away from Bonaire. But goalkeeper Rishison Frans made an excellent diving save, and in the process swung the momentum back towards the hosts. A second yellow card for Christopher Louisy to put Turks and Caicos down to 10 men only exacerbated what felt like a changing tide.
However, despite late efforts from Bonaire, they were unable to find a second goal and fell 2-1, dropping down to second place in Group A in the process. They still finish the competition with an impressive 10 points. Turks and Caicos finish just behind them, in third place with nine points.
