MIAMI, Florida – Both Canada and Haiti punched their tickets to the 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship following the results of Tuesday’s action in Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying.
Group A
Group A resumed at the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua, with the most thrilling match of the day, as British Virgin Islands topped Belize 4-3. BVI got their goals from Azarni Callwood (38’, 45’+2), Curtis Lane (40’) and Johari Lacey (70’), while the Belize goals were produced by Jaheim Mena (16’), Isaac Taegar (54’) and Felix Martinez (58’).
The nightcap pitted Nicaragua against Anguilla with the home side taking a 5-0 final. Oliver Bello (19’), Francis Castillo (37’), Juban Uriarte (53’), Andres Martinez (60’) and Kenler Cayasso (69’) scored for the Pinoleros.
Group B
Guyana and Suriname kicked off the action early in Group B at the ABFA Technical Centre in Piggots, Antigua and Barbuda, with Suriname pocketing a 4-1 victory. Robinio Pinas (7’), Jermaine Rijssel (35’), Djaier Prijor (85’) and Donagay Misidjang (89’) scored for Suriname, while Matrim Martin (76’) tallied the lone Guyana goal.
Antigua and Barbuda emerged as 2-1 victors against Turks and Caicos Islands in the second game. Javaughn Jarvis (54’) and Christopher Douglas (82’) scored for Antigua and Barbuda, followed by a goal from Christopher Louisy (90’+4) for Turks and Caicos Islands.
Group C
Group C was back at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, as Aruba took down Saint Martin 4-0. Joachim Kruydenhof (19’, 39’) and Connor Van Kilsdonk (41’, 45’) each bagged a brace.
The second match of the day in the group saw Curacao squeeze out a 1-0 win versus Barbados. Luigi Iniesa’s goal in the 31’ delivered the three points to Curacao.
Group D
Group D at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, returned with a dramatic 3-2 win for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines versus Dominica. Frankroy Cain (10’), Kirtney Franklyn (44’) and Steven Pierre (90’+2) found the back of the net for Vincy Heat, while Dominica got scores from Ajani Richards (40’) and Keeyan Thomas (90’+5).
The second match of the day was a massive one as Canada defeated Trinidad and Tobago 3-0 to win Group D and advance to the 2024 CMU20. Myles Morgan (10’), Santiago Lopez (54’) and Kevaughn Tavernier (79’) supplied the goals for Canada.
Group E
Group E was back at the SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Haiti and Puerto Rico playing to a 1-1 draw, which earned a first-place finish in the group for Haiti and a CMU20 berth. Fabian Menendez (39’) opened the scoring for Puerto Rico, but Haiti got a precious equalizer from Joseph Belmar (71’).
The day then closed with hosts Saint Kitts and Nevis topping Cayman Islands 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from De Quan Hamilton (16’, 45’+1, 81’).
Group F finales on docket
The teams in Group F will play their finales on Wednesday at the SKNFA Technical Center in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis, with Jamaica looking to clinch their CMU20 Championship spot against Bermuda in the second match of the day.
However, a Bermuda win could see the Gombey Warriors leapfrog the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica are 3W-1D-0L all-time versus Bermuda.
The first match will pit Martinique against Grenada. Martinique can pull even on points with Jamaica with a win and could pass them should they earn a lopsided victory. This will be their first-ever meeting.
