MIAMI, Florida – Both Dominica and Aruba clinched promotion to League B after posting away wins on Thursday in League C of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League.

British Virgin Islands vs. Dominica

Dominica have earned promotion back to League B after defeating British Virgin Islands 2-1 in Group C at the A.O. Shirley Recreation Ground in Road Town, BVI.

With the result, Dominica have won the group with a match to spare. BVI remain in the mix for promotion as the best-ranked second-place team in League C.

The first half ended scoreless but there were chances for both. The best for BVI were a Luka Chalwell shot that was saved, while Taylor Scarff had a header tipped over the crossbar by Dominica GK Glenson Prince.

Dominica amassed six corner kicks in the first 45 minutes, but the most glaring chance was for Javid George, who had a wide-open right-footed effort glace off the post.

Dominica’s pressure finally bore fruit in the 52’, as George played a cut-back pass to Audel Laville, who bounced home a shot for a 1-0 lead.

BVI went right to work on finding an equalizer and T’Sharne Gallimore delivered in the 63’ by receiving a pass and then making a slick cut before curling a right-footed shot into net to make it 1-1.

But back came Dominica in the 68’ to take a 2-1 lead through Eustace Marshall, who was left unmarked in front of goal on a corner kick and easily nodded home a header.

Dominica fended off a late BVI charge to nail down the precious three points and secure their place in League B.

US Virgin Islands vs. Aruba

Aruba are on their way back to League B thanks to their 4-1 triumph over United States Virgin Islands in Group B at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex in Saint Croix, USVI.

The victory gives Aruba nine points and three matches, five points ahead of second-place Cayman Islands, thus sealing Aruba’s promotion.

It was an ideal start for Aruba, who grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 23’ through Jaydon Dania, who tapped in a cross from Benjamin Maria.

Aruba kept their foot on the gas, and they would double the advantage before halftime and it came in sensational fashion, as Rovien Ostiana launched a shot from over 50 yards out that sailed over the head of USVI GK Dylan Ramos and into net for a 2-0 Aruba lead.

USVI came out strong to start the second half and they pulled to within a goal at 2-1 in the 47’ on a well-placed free kick taken by Zahmyre Harris and a powerful header into net from Quinn Farrell.

Aruba were unfazed and struck right back in the 52’ to restore their two-goal advantage at 3-1, with Maria once again playing the role of playmaker with a dashing run into the USVI area and crossing for Ostiana to score.

Aruba then tacked on a late score to cement the three points, with Maria stroking in a penalty in the 79’ to round out the 4-1 scoreline.