Sint Maarten storms back to earn draw with Bonaire

Willemstad, Curacao. - Sint Maarten stormed back from two goals down to draw Bonaire 2-2 in Group A of League C on Monday at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao, meaning the two sides split the points in their first-ever official meeting.

Bonaire picked up where it left off in CNL play after winning its tournament opener 4-1 over Turks and Caicos Islands.

Hat-trick hero Ayrton Cicilia was off and running on a breakaway in the ninth minute, but rather than going for goal himself, he squared for Jonathan Libania with a low cross to the far post. The forward finished it off to give Bonaire the early 1-0 lead.

The formula repeated itself in the 18th minute with Cicilia again getting into the box and this time setting up Hoeve Quincy to double the advantage, 2-0.

But Sint Maarten players refused to hang their heads and found a goal to build on in the 27th minute. Elmer De Vries got free down the right-hand side of attack and put a cross into the box that Ties Kerssies headed in at the near post.

And the score was level once again in the 32nd minute when Sint Maarten captain Kay Gerritsen whipped in a free kick that came off Quincy and went past Bonaire GK Jonas Lafeber.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the second half, but the best pair of chances may have come in the 79th and 86th minutes for Sint Maarten. The first saw an effort from Gerritsen cleared off the line by his rival captain, Bonaire DF Robert Frans, while the second had Sergio Hughes go on a run and pass for Reshawn Eustace, who couldn’t get his touch right to hit the target despite the goalkeeper appearing beaten.

The squads return to action June 11 with Bonaire traveling to meet the U.S. Virgin Islands, while Sint Maarten will meet Turks and Caicos Islands in the same venue as Monday’s match.