Haiti's Linnel St Preux (right) battles for possession with Antigua and Barbuda's captain George Dublin during last night's game at Jarrett Park. The match ended 1-1. - Photo by Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

CHAMPIONS HAITI'S title defence in the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Championships got off to a shaky start at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay last night when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Antigua and Barbuda in their Group B fixture.

The Haitians were clearly the superior team but failed to make it count on the scoresheet. They took the lead eight minutes into the second half through Sony Norde only to see Antigua and Barbuda draw level in the 80th minute through Peter Byers.

"We started out quite nervous," said Jairo Rios Rendon, coach of the Haitian team. "While we wanted to win the game, we are satisfied with the result."

After seeing the first chance of the game falling to Antigua and Barbuda in the second minute when Quintin Clarke fired wide from close range, Haiti took charge and had long periods of dominance which included a glorious chance by James Marcelin, who fired wide from close range in the eighth minute.

Haiti started the second half looking ominous and this time it paid off for them. In the 53rd minute, Norde broke free on the right flank, cut in neatly and then fired past the advancing goal-keeper, making the score 1-0.

After seeing Haiti coming close to widening their lead immediately following the goal, Antigua and Barbuda began showing some spunk, fighting back strongly and forcing Haiti on the defence with several threatening attacks. In one bold attack in the 80th minute, the Antigua and Barbuda team drew level with an impressive strike.

Byers pounced on a pass from midfield, danced around two defenders and with the goal opening up before him, slotted past the goalkeeper, making the score 1-1.