HAT TRICK

Soccer: CONCACAF Gold Cup-Haiti at Mexico
Haiti forward Frantzdy Pierrot (right) is fouled by Mexico defender Fernando Navarro in the second half during semi-final play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament at State Farm Stadium, July 2, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Frantzdy Pierrot notched a first half hat trick to help power Haiti to a 4-1 victory over Bermuda in the Second Round of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims on Tuesday at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, CONCACAF says.

With the result, it said Haiti have qualified for the 2021 Gold Cup group stage, “slotting into Group B where they will face the United States, Canada and Martinique.”

With his hat trick, Pierrot now has five goals versus Bermuda in just two Gold Cup matches, after having scored both Haiti goals in their 2-1 win in the 2019 group stage, CONCACAF said.

It said Pierrot broke the deadlock in the 23’, when he received a pass from Duckens Nazon, rounded Bermuda goal keeper Dale Eve and “slotted into net for a 1-0 Haiti lead.”

Frantzdy Pierrot at right seeks to advance against Jaylon Wayne Bather of Bermuda in the Second Round of the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims on July 6 2021, at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. CONCACAF/David Leah Cairns

“The goal lit a fire and, five minutes later, Pierrot doubled the Haiti lead and his personal goal tally with a right-footed finish off a long ball, making it 2-0 to Les Grenadiers,” CONCACAF said.

“Pierrot was not done though in the first half, as he extended the Haiti advantage to 3-0 with another excellent finish in the 34’,” it added.

CONCACAF said Bermuda looked to get back into it in the second half, and Nahki Wells was poised to pull a goal back in the 53’, but he could not find a way past Haiti GK Brian Sylvestre in a one-on-one situation.

“Wells may have been stopped on his first chance, but he converted at the second time of asking in the 80’, receiving a pass and rounding Sylvestre before finishing into net to cut the deficit to 3-1,” CONCACAF said.

“Any chance of a late Bermuda comeback was thwarted though when Nazon struck late for Haiti via the penalty spot in the 87’ to nail down the 4-1 Haiti win,” it added.