Molino hat-trick inspires T&T to big win

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

Powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago made light work of the Dominican Republic, brushing them aside 4-0 in their opening third round game of the Caribbean Cup on Wednesday night.

Playing before their home crowd at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, the hosts were propelled by a brilliant hat-trick from the United States-based Kevin Molino, as they rushed to a 3-0 lead at half-time, before cruising in the second half.

The victory put T&T on top of Group 4, with their second and final game set for the Stade Pierre-Aliker against Martinique in Fort-de-France next Tuesday.

Molino, who plays for Orlando City in the Major League Soccer, opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he blasted home from close range after being played through by Radanfah Abu Bakr.

ON TARGET

Four minutes later, the 26-year-old was on target again, this time heading past goalkeeper Miguel Lloyd courtesy of a pass from captain Kenwyne Jones.

And Cordell Cato, who also plies in his trade in the MLS for San Jose Earthquakes, rounded off a dominant first half for the Trinidadians when he scored in the 30th minute following a move started by long kick from goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams.

In the second half, T&T managed just one more goal but it was Molino finding the nets to complete his hat-trick, drilling home a rebound after Jones's initial header had been parried by goalkeeper Lloyd.

In Group 3 in Willemstad, hosts Curacao cruised to an easy 3-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda thanks to a first-half strike from Leandro Bacuna and second half goals from Rangelo Janga and Gino van Kessel.

Jamaica's Group 1 clash with Suriname scheduled for Kingston and Haiti's Group 2 fixture against French Guiana in Port-au-Prince, were both postponed because of bad weather stemming from the passage of Hurricane Matthew.