MIAMI, Florida – El Salvador and Canada were among the big winners to start 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying on Friday.
Group A
Cuba started off Group A as big winners, claiming a 13-0 final versus Anguilla at the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua,
Marcos Campos (3’, 25’, 30’) and David Perez (40’, 47’, 71’) each had hat tricks, Maikol Vega (77’, 90’+6) bagged a brace, while Leandro Mena (13’), Michael Camejo (15’), Karel Perez (27’), Cristian Mendoza (41’) and Samuel Rodriguez (62’) also had goals.
Nicaragua thrilled the home fans by posting an 8-0 victory against British Virgin Islands. Joab Gutierrez (6’), Francis Castillo (12’, 39’), Kenler Cayasso (25’), Andres Martinez (47’, 61’), Fredy Ortiz (56’) and Izamuel Martinez (81’) accounted for the scoring.
Group B
The day in in Group B at the ABFA Technical Centre in Piggots, Antigua and Barbuda began with a 7-0 victory for El Salvador against Turks and Caicos Islands.
Christopher Argueta (26’), Daniel Espana (37’), Walter Menjivar (41’), Wilber Diaz (67’, 80’), Darwin Lopez (90’+1) and Nelson Diaz (90’+3) supplied the goals for the Cuscatlecos.
The second match of the day in Group B pitted hosts Antigua and Barbuda against Guyana, with Antigua and Barbuda using a strong start to secure a 4-0 win.
The goals came from Javauhn Parker (2’), Aiden Jarvis (16’), Christopher Douglas (18’) and Javaughn Jarvis (84’).
Group C
The Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, is the venue for Group C and witnessed an exciting opening encounter, as Curacao got a goal in the 90’+3 from Daminthly Bernardina to edge Saint Martin, 1-0.
Guatemala emerged as 3-1 winners versus Barbados in the nightcap. Hector Prillwitz (17’), Olger Escobar (32’) and Justin Racancoj (80’) scored for the Chapines, while Barbados got their goal from Rovaldo Massiah (28’).
Group D
Group D at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain started off with Canada downing Dominica 8-0. Myles Morgan (8’, 36’, 47’), Santiago Lopez (26’, 65’), Sergei Kozlovskiy (86’, 90’+4) and Kevaughn Tavernier (27’) accounted for the scoring.
The nightcap was full of drama, as host nation Trinidad and Tobago rallied from a two-goal deficit to claim a 3-2 victory against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Kirtney Franklyn (3’) and Steven Pierre (28’) gave Vincy Heat a 2-0 lead, but the Soca Warriors would storm back through Cody Cooper (36’), Larry Noel (64’) and a last-gasp goal from Michael Chaves (90’+5) as the winner.
Group E
The SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the venue for Group E and started with Haiti taking down Cayman Islands 4-1.
A hat trick from Bryan Destin (56’, 80’, 90’+5) and a goal from Schneilorens Lebrun (12’) offset a Joshwa Campbell (61’) goal for Cayman Islands.
The action in the group wrapped up with Puerto Rico taking down hosts Saint Kitts and Nevis 5-0. Adrian Biaggi (5’), Sebastian Otero (24’), Daniel Cruz (85’), Luis Medina (88’) and an own goal in the 47’ served as the scoring for the Boricuas.
Group F opens on Saturday
The teams in Group F will begin their CMU20Q campaigns on Saturday at the SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, beginning with Bermuda facing Grenada in just their second ever CMU20Q meeting. USA 2018 was the last time either side reached a CMU20.
The second match of the day will see Jamaica take on Martinique. Jamaica have two wins in two all-time CMU20Q matches with Les Matinino.
In their last respective CMU20 appearances, Jamaica were quarterfinalists at Honduras 2022, while Martinique were group stage finishers at USA 2018.
