Martinique suffer penalty heartbreak in Caribbean Cup semis

Frédéric Piquionne missed the crucial penalty as Martinique lost on penalties to Trinidad & Tobago in the Caribbean Cup semi-finals on Friday night. Kévin Parsemain had given Les Matinino the lead with just 15 minutes to go but they were agonisingly pegged back in injury time by a Richard Roy equaliser.

The non-FIFA side were dealt a huge blow before the game as their France-based contingent had to return to their clubs and as a result a much changed line-up took to the field against the 2006 World Cup finalists. With dangerous strike duo Piquionne and Parsemain surprisingly on the bench, and a cagey 1st-half witnessed one real chance when Martinique stopper Emmanuel Vermignon, making his 1st appearance of the finals, tipped over an Ataullah Guerra header before the break. The 2nd-half was similarly quiet and as soon as Piquionne and Parsemain entered the fray in the 68th minute the game changed, and after only 7 minutes it was the latter who opened the scoring with a fine goal. After picking up the ball up in midfield he ran at the Trinidad defence before cutting on to his right foot and curling it past Jan-Michael Williams. Les Matinino continued to attack and Parsemain went close with 5 minutes to go, before Piquionne had a shot well saved by Williams. However deep into injury time the FIFA side scored a controversial equaliser, Richard Roy slotting home after a hint of offside. 

Agony..Martinique leaked a late goal to force extra-time

Martinique had the better chances in extra-time but couldn't force the winner, and so the game went to penalties. After each team scored their 1st 4 kicks Piquionne saw his effort saved by Williams, allowing Guerra to send Trinidad & Tobago into the final. It was more penalty heart-break for Martinique after their Coupe de l'Outre-Mer final loss to Réunion in September and one wonders why Parsemain and Piquionne were not played from the start. Despite the agonising loss the non-FIFA team will be delighted to have made a 3rd-ever CONCACAF Gold Cup qualification, courtesy of reaching the last 4.

Match information -

Score: Martinique 1 - 1 Trinidad & Tobago* (4-5 pens)

Goals: Martinique - Kévin Parsemain 75'. Trinidad & Tobago - Richard Roy 90'.

Martinique XI: Vermignon, Anglio, Herelle [Reuperne 87'], Gustan, Cretinoir, Berdix, Delem, Bannais, Abaul, Ravi [Parsemain 68'], Joseph-Rose [Piquionne 68'].

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Martinique went on to lose 1-0 to Haiti in the 3rd-place game 2 days later. The non-FIFA side soaked up pressure during both halves but managed to force extra-time, when Leonel Saint-Preux struck the only goal after 4 minutes. 

Match information - 

Score: Haiti 1 - 0 Martinique (A.E.T)

Goals: Leonel Saint-Preux 94'.

Martinique XI: Chauvet, Zaire, Anglio, Sery, Gustan [Lecefel 81'], Angely, Mainge [Piquionne 81'], Reuperne [Herelle 72'], Delem, Parsemain, Abaul.