Western Bureau:

Haiti made a bold bid to claw their way back into the 2008 Digicel Caribbean Cup last night when they clipped Cuba 1-0 in the final round's preliminary Group 'B' game at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay, to pull ahead of Guadeloupe, who were slated to battle Antigua/Barbuda in the second game of the double-header.

The win for the Haitians, which came courtesy of a first-half strike by Michel Jean Boucicaut, lifted their points tally to four, while the already-qualified Cubans, completed their fixtures with six points, accumulated from earlier wins against Guadeloupe and Antigua/Barbuda.

The other qualifier was to be decided pending the outcome of last night's late game between Guadeloupe and Antigua/Barbuda, which was locked at 0-0 at press time.

Guadeloupe, which started with three points, were certain to advance to the semis with a win that would have lifted them to six points. However, a draw would have left them on four points, thus putting them in a goal-difference situation with Haiti.

Antigua/Barbuda, which started with a point, also had a slight chance which rested in a win over Guadeloupe that would have lifted them alongside Haiti on four points, leaving goal difference to decide.

"We have done all we can, so let us see what will happen between Guadeloupe and Antigua/Barbuda," said Jairo Rios Rendon, the Haitian coach. "We would love to continue in this competition."

Created opportunities

In a game in which Cuba showed very little urgency in the opening stanza, the Haitians created the majority of the early opportunities. They came perilously close in the eighth minute when Sony Norde broke clear on the goalkeeper but fired straight at him.

With the momentum in Haiti's favour, they finally took the lead in the 37th minute. Boucicaut pounced on a cross from the right flank, turned sweetly before the goal and fired past goalkeeper Danny Quinteros Chevans, making the half-time score 1-0.