Dominican Republic side Moca FC overcame a slow start to edge Jamaican club Harbour View 2-1 in their Concacaf Caribbean Cup first-leg third-place encounter at Sabina Park on Tuesday night.

Moca FC will take that one-goal advantage and two away goals into their home leg, with hopes of also seeing off a possible Harbour View comeback, especially with a place in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup at stake.

Omar Thompson has been one of a key player in Harbour View's attacking force in this Caribbean Cup, and he was the impetus behind the opening goal in the 15th minute.

Thompson produced a run down the left channel, and later floated a deep cross that came off of Moca defender Clifford Thomas and into net for an own goal.

Moca FC sought a response, and a buzzing freekick taken by Sebastian Valencia in the 35th, required Harbour View's goalkeeper Anthony Bennett to stay calm and make a save in front of a sea of players.

The visitors eventually pulled level in the 43rd minute through Gustavo Ascona, who got on the end of a freekick and expertly headed past Bennett, to make it 1-1 at the break.

Harbour View again started best on the resumption and almost regained the lead in the 53rd minute, when Jahshaun Anglin rifled an effort that rocketed off the crossbar.

However, it was Moca FC that found the go-ahead goal in the 65th, as Jose Francisco smacked home a header that gave Bennett no chance at a save.

From there, Moca's defence withstood everything thrown at them by Harbour View to secure a crucial advantage ahead of next week’s second leg.

Jamaica's Harbour View will be looking to complete their mission of a first-place finish in Group B of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, when they visit Cibao FC of the Dominican Republic at the Estadio Cibao in Santiago de los Caballeros, on Thursday.

Harbour View sit atop the group with seven points and have already clinched their spot in the semifinals, but they will need a victory at Cibao to assure themselves of group honours.

The East Kingston-based club has been excellent in the competition, opening with a 1-0 win against fellow Jamaican side Dunbeholden, before a 1-1 draw against Atletico Pantoja of the Dominican Republic, and an exciting 3-2 win versus Suriname’s Robinhood.

Cibao opened with a point in a 1-1 draw with Atletico Pantoja but have suffered back-to-back defeats since then. However, the opportunity is there to end on a high note.

Facundo Guichon has shown that he can find the back of the net, having scored against Dunbeholden, while Jean Lopez has an assist and leads the team in ball recoveries (8) and passes (186).

Harbour View will counter with the dynamic duo of Omar Thompson and Shaquiel Bradford. Thompson has scored in two successive games, while Bradford bagged a second half brace to spearhead Harbour View’s comeback win versus Robinhood.