French Guiana crash to defeat, Martinique secure important point

French Guiana slipped back down to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Cuba after substitute Ariel Martinez stunned them with 2 quick-fire 2^nd half goals.

French Guiana were unchanged and had to resist some early Cuban pressure as Marcel Hernández saw his long-range shot turned away by Laurent Petchy after 8 min, before  Alberto Gómez headed wide from a corner on the quarter-hour mark. However in a classic French Guiana counter they took the lead in the 17^th minute. Rhudy Evens sent the ball through to hotshot Gary Pigrée and as Odelín Molina ran of his line he slid it past the advancing Cuban goalkeeper for, remarkably, his 13^th goal in his 15 internationals. The FIFA side remained on top but failed to test Petchy before the interval.

In the 2^nd-half Cuba came out strongly and hit the bar after a fine strike from Jaime Colome in the 52^nd minute. The pressure eventually told 20 minutes later when substitute Ariel Martinez fired a long-range equaliser past Petchy. Cuba then stunned the non-FIFA side just 120 seconds later when a long ball found Martinez who nodded home his 2^nd. French Guiana were stunned and failed to exert any pressure on the Cubans, who went on to comfortably see out the win.

Match information –

Score: Cuba 2 – 1 French Guiana

Goals: Cuba - Ariel Martinez 73’, 75’. French Guiana - Gary Pigrée 17’.

French Guiana XI: Petchy; Marigard, Torvic, Evens, Lespérance; Ajaiso, Darcheville [Ridel 86’], Malouda, Sophie; Pigrée, Edwige.

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Martinique played out a bland 0-0 draw with Jamaica, who find themselves bottom, as they went top of group B.

The 1st half was a lacklustre affair with few chances created by either side. In the 14^th minute Kévin Parsemain had a goal ruled out for offside and 3 minutes later Arles-Avignon defender Gaël Germany watched his low shot sail wide of Dwayne Miller’s goal. Jamaica were restricted to long-range efforts though they came close in the 45^th minute when Demar Phillips was unlucky to see his bicycle kick go just over Kévin Olimpa’s crossbar.

After 5 minutes of the 2nd-half William Sery put in a good block to deny Jermaine Anderson, and the Jamaican player headed over from a corner in the 59th minute. 4 minutes later the 1998 World Cup finalists were down to 10 men when Phillips was sent off somewhat harshly having received a 2nd yellow. Martinique failed to take advantage and were happy to go top of the group with 4 points.

The two non-FIFA teams will now meet on Wednesday at 17:00 (21:00 U.K) in a crucial tie for both sides. Les Matinino know a point will be enough, French Guiana will need to win. Updates will be available via our Twitter service @NonFIFAfootball.

Match information –

Score: Jamaica 0 - 0 Martinique

Goals:

Martinique XI: Olimpa; Zaire, Herelle, Germany, Sery; Delem [Reuperné 85'], Cretinoir, Berdix, Mirza; Parsemain [Angély 89'], Piquionne [Joseph-Rose 82'].