The Grenada Senior Men’s National team concluded the first installment in a series of three international friendlies against Barbados with a one-all draw at Fond Playing Field, St. Patrick.
Throughout the match, Team Grenada created numerous scoring opportunities but struggled to convert until extra time in the second half. Grenada’s captain, Jamal Ray Charles, earned a penalty in the 90+1 minute after a foul in the 18-yard box. While the Barbados keeper deflected his penalty kick, Charles swiftly capitalized on the rebound.
However, just two minutes after Grenada’s celebration, #9 for Barbados, Tajio James, surprised the Grenada defense by finding the back of the net in the 90+3 minute of play.
Reflecting on the match, Grenada Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Anthony ‘Nixon’ Modeste acknowledged that despite being the team’s first engagement since last year, Grenada should have secured a victory. Modeste commented, “We squandered numerous chances, and while we scored late, it’s something we need to work on and grow from. However, I believe we will come back stronger in the next match.”
Goal scorer and captain Jamal Ray Charles expressed his satisfaction at scoring for his country but acknowledged that a lapse in concentration cost them the win. He stated, “Moving forward, we will correct our mistakes and perform much better in the upcoming matches.”
The next friendlies are scheduled at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium at 7 pm on Friday, February 24, and at Cuthbert Peters Park, Gouyave, at 4 pm on Sunday, February 26. Both matches are FIFA and Concacaf sanctioned and are part of the Senior Men’s National team’s preparation for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League match against the USA on March 24 at 8 pm at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.
Before the March 24 encounter, Grenada is also expected to face the St Lucia Senior Men’s team and the La Horquetta Rangers from Trinidad in the following friendlies:
- March 3: Grenada vs St Lucia
- March 5: Grenada vs St Lucia
- March 7: St Lucia vs La Horquetta Rangers
- March 10: Grenada vs La Horquetta Rangers
- March 12: Grenada vs La Horquetta Rangers