LES ABYMES, Guadeloupe -- Guadeloupe opened their tournament at the familiar Stade Rene Serge Nabajoth this evening with an exceptional performance in a 5-1 victory over Sint Maarten in Group D of League C.
Dimitri Ramothe needed just over four minutes to grab the first goal of the day. Florian David doubled the lead with a 26th minute free kick that will go down as one of the best goals of the entire competition.
Anthony Baron kept up the pace in the 48th minute with an effort from nearly 35 yards out, another goal of the competition contender. David tacked on a fourth in the 60th minute.
Gerwin Lake did pull something positive out of the trip for Sint Maarten when he scored a free kick of his own in the 83rd minute, not far from where David scored in the first half.
Ronan Hauterville completed the scoreline when his header made it 5-1 in favor of the hosts just before the 90-minute mark.
For Guadeloupe, the win is just the first step towards topping Group D and putting themselves into the mix to get back to the Concacaf Gold Cup for the first time since 2011.
Sint Maarten will have a chance to rebound with a pair of home matches during the October window, including the rematch with Guadeloupe.
