Barbados made a strong start to its 2026 CONCACAF U-17 Qualifiers campaign with a narrow victory over hosts Trinidad and Tobago as action got underway in Group A at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

Adam King’s second-half header proved decisive as Barbados secured a 1-0 win over the young Soca Warriors on Tuesday, handing the home side an early setback in the tournament.

The breakthrough came in the 75th minute when King rose above defenders to head home a cross from Ashaun Grecia, giving the Tridents the lead in a tightly contested encounter.

Trinidad and Tobago pressed for an equaliser late in the match, but Barbados goalkeeper Kaliq Lashley produced a standout performance to preserve the advantage. 

Lashley made four saves, including a crucial one-on-one stop against J’Meke Watkins in the 85th minute, to secure the clean sheet and all three points for Barbados.

Earlier in the day, Saint Martin opened the tournament with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sint Maarten.

After a goalless first half, Souleymane Aubriet broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, finishing off a well-placed cross from Wilfried Plumain. 

Aubriet doubled Saint Martin’s advantage seven minutes later, calmly slotting home after being played through by Raphaël Gavarin.

Gavarin then added his name to the scoresheet in the 86th minute, completing a solo run down the right flank before finishing from inside the penalty area to seal the result.

The opening results place Barbados and Saint Martin in early control of Group A as the qualifiers continue in Trinidad and Tobago.