MIAMI, Florida – A full slate of action is on the docket on Monday in League C, with eight teams returning to the field of play.
Group A leaders Bonaire will look to hold onto their position at the top of the table when they take on Sint Maarten at the Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca Stadium in Willemstad.
Bonaire come into the match flying high after a dominant 4-1 victory on the road in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ayrton Cicilia netted an impressive hat trick in the win, while Jonathan Libania added the fourth.
Sint Maarten tied their opening match 1-1 against the US Virgin Islands, with captain Kay Gerritsen scoring a late equalizer to rescue a point.
The Sint Maarten defense will need to be focused on Cicilia, who was simply outstanding in the first match. Sint Maarten’s Gerwin Lake finally was held scoreless in a Nations League game, but still looked a threat in the team’s opener and will attract a lot of attention from Bonaire defenders.
This match will be the first ever meeting between these two sides. A win for Bonaire would guarantee that they remain in first place, while a win for Sint Maarten would catapult them up to a tie for first place, or first place outright depending on the result of the other match.
In the other Group A clash, the US Virgin Islands head home to St. Croix to play the Turks and Caicos Islands in the second match of their tournament.
The Dashing Eagles didn’t accrue any points at home during the previous Nations League, but the Bethlehem Soccer Stadium is always a welcome sight and fans will be eager to get their first live look at the team during this campaign.
The US Virgin Islands were in control for the majority of their opening match, taking the lead in the eighth minute through a James Mack III strike. They held the lead for almost the entire game, but conceded a late equalizer and settled for a 1-1 draw.
Turks and Caicos Islands, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back after a big defeat to Bonaire on their home turf last time out. A late Karl Shand Jr. goal was the only consolation for the TCI in the 4-1 defeat.
The most recent (and only) time these two sides have faced off at the senior level before was all the way back in February of 1999, when they drew 2-2 in the first round of the Caribbean Cup.
The Cayman Islands are ready for a rematch with the British Virgin Islands at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town. The two sides met on Friday in Road Town in a 1-1 draw that saw the visitors scratching out a point after a late deficit.
That result was the first ever Nations League point for the British Virgin Islands, and a blow to the Cayman Islands’ promotion hopes. But the hosts will know that a win on Monday will put them right back in a position to compete for the top spot.
The British Virgin Islands will be trying to replicate their performance from the first match, having had a steady flow of dangerous set pieces and offensive pressure. It was only after Troy Caesar gave them the lead that they began to wane somewhat.
Syrus Connolly’s entrance into the game marked a clear shift in momentum, with Connolly scoring almost immediately and the Cayman Islands having the upper hand after that. It will be interesting to see what role Connolly plays this time around.
The Cayman Islands were a perfect three wins from three at home during the last Nations League, and will be looking to continue that form and, for the time being, leap into first place in Group D.
In Group B, Aruba will play host to Saint Martin in another rematch, in the second game of the day at the Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca Stadium. These two teams drew 0-0 in Anguilla a few days ago.
That match was characterized by strong defensive performances. After a few early chances, neither defense gave up much of anything, and attacking players on both sides were largely left frustrated.
It was a bit of a surprise to see from the always explosive Saint Martin and an Aruba side that had scored five goals in their most recent outing, but it is a testament to both sides that they are able to shift between multiple styles of play.
However, both teams are seeking three points this time, and will need to come forward a little more to that end. Saint Martin have plenty of firepower from Yannick Bellechasse, Yannick Chevalier, Danilo Cocks, while Terrence Groothusen and young forward Benjamin Maria have demonstrated their prowess for Aruba.
Saint Martin won their most recent road game in the Nations League, a 2-1 win over the US Virgin Islands at the end of the 2019/20 edition of the tournament. Aruba did not win any of their home matches during their 2019/20 League B campaign.
