[FOOTBALL]

by Michael Bascombe

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (Jan 11) - Grenada experienced a bad start in its preparation for the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers beginning next month.

 Playing in their first international in 14 months, the Grenadians lost to Barbados 2-0 at the National Stadium in Bridgetown on Sunday night.

 However, the scoreline is a far contrast from the overall performance of the national team. But as almost customary, the strikers continue to disappoint with their poor shooting.

 Grenada had no less than five scoring chances while their opponents converted on the two opportunities.

 Defender Wayne Sobers twice had to rescue Barbados from an early onslaught from Nigel Bishop, Denis Rennie and the encroaching Kennedy Phillip in the midfield.

 Grenada played pedestrial and confident in the defence for the first 20 minutes of the game. But Barbados, with the experienced Norman Forde and Llewellyn Riley played cautious.

 Forde was probing and searching in the 35th minute when he fired from about 15 yards away to an extended goalkeeper Kellon Baptiste.

 Bishop had yet an opportunity and this time to equalise for Grenada but missed the clearest of opportunities inside of the six-yard-box.

 Riley added a second goal for Barbados in the 58th minute as he danced away from an opponent and shot low to beat the custodian.

 The coaching staff will be assessing the performance of the team in Sunday's game but will have to convince the Grenada Football Association (GFA) that the team is in desperate need of quality preparation.

 "When you are away for such a long time it will take you sometime to get back into it. But with all of that in mind I think we had a fairly good performance," Debellotte said.

 He said the team will be strengthening the striking force since this has been the area of concern.

  "Like this game showed you the one who scores the goals will win the game. Obviously we will be strengthening our striking force but I think it will all go down to making use of the opportunities when you get it.

 Grenada used its local-based players for Sunday’s game but football officials have confirmed that three foreign-based players will be home for the return game at month’s end.

11.01.2004: Waterford, BARBADOS; National Stadium (A: 2000)
BARBADOS – GRENADA 2:0 (1:0)
Norman FORDE 35’; Llewellyn RILEY 58’ BRB: Bernard Howell (48: Jason Boxill) – Wayne Sobers, John Parris, Kirk Cox, Randy Burrowes, Stuart Hall (80: Brian Neblett), Kent Hall (65: Johnathan Straker), Norman Forde, Paul Lovell (74: Walton Burrowes), Gregory Goodridge, Llewellyn Riley (85: Ryan Lucas). Booked: Sobers 62’, Riley 79’
GRN: Kennedy Philip – Kellon Baptiste, Patrick Modeste, Franklyn Baptiste, Brian Benjamin, Jason James, Ian Andrew (62: Eric Thomas), Andy Augustine (46: Ashton Henry), Ricky Morris, Nigel Bishop (62: Kitwana Folkes), Dennis Rennie. Booked: none
R: Royon SMALL (BRB)