Jean-Baptiste's double carries NYC Haiti to a 3-1 win over Trinidad

NYC Haiti striker Fritzson Jean-Baptiste. FGSL Images

Game Report

NYC Haiti broke a two-game winless run with a 3-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago, thanks to two goals from Fritzson Jean-Baptiste and one from Waldo Vernet, on Sunday afternoon at Old Boys and Girls High School.

Haiti scored the opener of a mistake from the Trinidadian team in the 17th minute. Jean-Baptiste pressured T&T's back four deep in their own box and as a result he deflected a Trinidadian's defender pass in the net.

Les Grenadiers doubled their lead nine minutes later. Vernet hit a short pass to Yvener Guerrier, who whipped a shot on frame from the top of the 18-yard-box.

Yvener Guerrier after taking a shot against Trinidad and Tobago. FGSL Images

Trinidad's keeper saved the shot but wasn't able to hold on to the ball. Vernet bolted in the six-yard-box and buried the rebound home.

The Soca Warriors cut Haiti's lead in half in the 33rd minute.

Trinidad were rewarded a penalty kick six minutes after the restart for a foul in the box on keeper Frandy Montrevil, who dove in front of a T&T attacker to prevent him from scoring. Montrevil received a yellow card for his foul.

The Haitian keeper saved Trinidad's penalty, but was issued a red card seconds later for talking to the referee.

Haiti managed to go two goal ahead with 10 men when Jean-Baptiste sprinted from the half-line to the 18-yard box before hitting a low-shot past the opposing keeper.

NYC Haiti jumped to fourth place after the win with with 2-1-1 record.

Player's voice: Fritzson Jean-Baptiste

Former Haiti international player Fritzson Jean- Baptiste was happy with the win after the two-game winless run.

"It's a tournament we always do good in every year," Jean-Baptiste said after the game, "but we really needed those three points to make sure we make the playoffs so this victory is good. You know, it's a victory, I'm always happy with victories. We played a good game, we're going to get ready to play even better next game."

Jean-Baptiste is pleased of his two goals but have his eyes set on the next game.

"It's my duty, it's my job to score, I'm a forward," he said. "I'm happy, I scored, I'm happy but it's already gone, I'm going to focus on next game so I can score better goals."

Three key notes

Jean-Baptiste shines in his first international game of the season: Ex-pro player Fritzson Jean-Baptiste netted two crucial goals in his first game of the International FGSL season.

End of the scoring drought: Jean-Baptiste's opener for Haiti was the team's first goal since their 2-0 win over Nigeria in their season opener on April 23rd.

Keeper out: Les Grenadiers will be without keeper Frandy Montrevil in their next game against Saint-Vincent and Grenadines after he picked up a red card against Trinidad.