Haiti’s Real Hope FA edged Dominican Republic’s Moca FC 1-0 in the first leg of their Concacaf Caribbean Cup third-place tie in Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, on Tuesday.

Stanley Joseph opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a right-footed strike as he capitalized on a deflected ball in the box. Jeudy Johnson was essential in the buildup play and later provided the ball over the top, which led to the goal.

Huguens Michel went close to extending the lead for Real Hope in the 14th minute as his header went just wide of left upright.

Real Hope was reduced to ten men in the 45+1 after Steeve Mondestin was shown a straight red card.

With the numerical advantage, Moca FC should have pulled level in the 45+5, but Eduardo Montenegro well-struck free kick, but Real Hope’s goalkeeper Gooly Elien proved equal to the task.

Argentina-born Gustavo Ascona had a dangerous hit on target from outside the box in the 45+6, but Elien again came up big to deny him.

Like they did at the start, Real Hope came out more purposeful after the break, and Angelo Exilus danced his way through Moca’s defence but his final effort in the 74th was charged down by Keudy Jimenez.

Yveto Dort again went close for Real Hope with a stinging 78th-minute drive from a distance that went just wide of the target.

Real Hope’s custodian Elien was again called up on to deny a 90+5-minute effort to preserve the clean sheet and ensure his team remained on the front foot heading into next Tuesday’s second leg.

He finished the night with four saves and his third clean sheet in the tournament.