National forward Audel Laville came up big yet again, scoring two important goals, as Dominica came from a goal down to beat St Vincent in the first of two International Friendlies on Thursday at Victoria Park in Kingstown, St Vincent.
The friendlies are forming part of preparations for both countries as they get set for the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers in June.
Audel Laville came up with the heroics in the end, but the first half belonged to National goalkeeper Jerome Burkard, who came up with a number of big saves in just his second start.
Burkard had a point-blank save in the dying stages of the first half to preserve the clean sheet as the two teams went into the half-time break at 0-0. St Vincent brought the heat in the second half and capitalized on some shaky play to take a 1-nil lead in the 49th minute of play.
Oryan Velox put the Vincentians in front. Dominica didn’t drop their spirits and Chad Bertrand got the equalizer in
the 59th minute and then Audel Laville got the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute.
Dominica sealed the victory with a 3rd goal in the 86th minute, when Audel Laville got his second, finishing a brilliant run from Javid George. From then on it was all about game management which was capped off with some good defensive work from right back Jahiem Maxime who had an exceptional game on debut.
In the end, Dominica took the match 3-1.
Head coach Ellington Sabin and goal scorer Audel Laville spoke with Team Media Officer Garvin Richards following the game.
Dominica will meet St Vincent in the 2nd International Friendly on Sunday May 5th at 4pm.
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