Caption: Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Levi Garcia (11) and Haiti defender Jean-Kevin Duverne collide in the first half during a group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup at Shell Energy Stadium. Photo: CMC
TEXAS – Trinidad and Tobago were lucky to earn a point against Haiti in their crucial CONCACAF Gold Cup match after escaping with a 1-1 draw here at the Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Thursday night.
With the score tied, Haiti’s Mondy Prunier missed an 86th-minute spot kick after Wilguens Paugain drew a penalty on the edge of the box.
Given the perfect opportunity to put his side in the lead in the dying minutes, Prunier skied his shot over the bar, much to the delight of his opponents.
It would have been a much-deserved win for Haiti, who was reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute after Jean-Kevin Duverne was sent off with the score still 0-0 for a challenge on Trinidad captain Levi Garcia.
Despite playing the entire second half a man down, Haiti nearly doubled T&T in total shots.
In the final minutes of the first half Haiti thought they had earned a penalty, but after a lengthy wait, VAR overturned the call.
However, Haiti went ahead in the 49th minute when Frantdzy Pierrot redirected a Louicius Don Deedson cross into the back of the net.
The Soca Warriors drew level courtesy of a 68th-minute goal from Justin Garcia, who rose to head home from a free kick past Haiti’s custodian Johny Placide.
Both teams had chances in the final minutes of the game as they seesawed back and forth down the field, but neither could find a late winner. (CMC)
