STRIKER John-Paul Rochford missed a late penalty as AC Port of Spain blew a two-goal early second-half lead when falling to a 3-2 defeat to Moca FC in the 2024 CONCACAF Caribbean Cup, on Tuesday night, at Estadio Moca in the Dominican Republic.
Having already scored twice, Rochford was on a hat-trick when stepping up to take a penalty with three minutes left in regular time, but his powerful shot crashed off the woodwork.
Rochford’s miss opened the way for the home team to complete an unlikely comeback, when converting from the penalty mark a minute into added-on time after AC PoS defender Maurice Forde committed a foul.
Victory placed Moca at the top of Group B on four points, while the “Capital Boyz” have their next two matches at home, starting with Grenades FC on September 17 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.
As with their 2023 meeting, which Moca won 1-0, AC PoS dominated possession, but still however left the Dominican Republic without a point.
That looked a most unlikely scenario after Rochford placed the visitors in the lead in the 41th minute after a superbly taken free kick, which left goalkeeper Miguel Baez frozen. Rochford doubled their advantage in the 49th when converting Nathan Lewis’ cross into a goal with a back-post header.
Alan Aciar cut the deficit for the hosts in the 51th with a strike in front of goal, following a corner kick, before Gustavo Ascona drew the hosts level, in the 62nd minute, with a left-footed shot inside the penalty area. Víctor Sánchez, who came off the bench, provided the assist.
Rochford had the opportunity to retake the lead in the 86’, but his strike from the penalty mark ricocheted off the crossbar. And Clifford Thomas converted from the penalty spot for the match-winner for Moca, in the 91st, securing all three points.
SOURCE: T&T Express