Coach Hall backs Barbados to bounce back after Guadeloupe defeat

Despite being disappointed by Thursday’s 3-0 Concacaf Nations League defeat by hosts Guadeloupe, Barbados head coach Kent Hall believes the result is not a true reflection of the quality of his side. The loss at the Stade Roger Zami means Barbados will now have to defeat St Lucia in a top-of-the-table League B, Group B match next week to seal automatic qualification for next year’s Concacaf Gold Cup. Guadeloupe took the lead via Claudio Beauvue in the 10th minute, with Thierry Gale then being denied an equaliser for Barbados following a brilliant save by Guadeloupe goalkeeper Mathieu Philemon. Ange Plumian made it 2-0 to the hosts in the 41st minute, with substitute Johnathan Gamby putting the result beyond doubt with an 80th-minute strike. Hall was magnanimous following the defeat, which he believes was a result of a number of factors. Head coach Kent Hall (centre with hand raised)makes a point, during the post game debrief (Photo by: Clyde Jno Baptiste) “I don’t think it’s a reflection of the quality of the two teams but I gotta give Guadeloupe credit on the day. They executed very well and they beat us in transition. “I think we made a few mistakes in possession, like little slips and things like that. I have no excuses, these are things you’ve got to be aware of. “The surface obviously seemed to give our guys a little bit of trouble. So it’s a lesson at least for the next match. We know now we have an uphill task but it’s still in our hands. It’s still ours to win so we will dust off, regroup, look at where we fell short and come and win the game against St Lucia,” Hall asserted. While Hall acknowledged that the first defeat of the campaign has impacted the Barbados team, he said the squad remains upbeat. “Psychologically it’s gonna sting and I think obviously there’s a bit of frustration too. We had a lot of possession in the opposition half and we managed to play some nice tight and tidy football. I think in spite of the frustrations, the guys are sticking together. “We know that’s the only way we’re gonna succeed so there’s going to be no finger-pointing. I can see that already. We point fingers at ourselves, not at anybody else.” Hall continued, “There are always little positives to take away. Young Davion [Thorne] came in and did tremendously well. It was important that when you look to your bench that you get an impact. I think we did get some impact.” (KH)