MIAMI, Florida – Cuba, Guatemala and El Salvador have advanced to the 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship thanks to victories on Saturday in their group finales of 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying.
Guanajuato, Mexico, announced as host for the 2024 Concacaf Men's U-20 Championship
Group A
Group A came to an end at the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua, beginning with Belize taking down Anguilla 4-1. A hat-trick from Felix Martinez (3’, 10’, 24’) and an Isaac Taegar (49’) gave Belize the win. Jared Smeins (60’) scored for Anguilla.
The second match of the day decided the winner of the group, and it was Cuba getting the job done, 2-1. Second half goals from Leandro Mena (50’) and Maikol Vega (63’) outweighed a late score from Juban Uriarte (90’+4) to earn the Cubans the three points and a first-place finish in Group A.
Group B
The action kicked off early in Group B at the ABFA Technical Centre in Piggots, Antigua and Barbuda, with Suriname defeating Turks and Caicos Islands 7-2. Goals from Yamano Olfers (5’), Robinio Pinas (14’, 31’), Donagay Misidjang (17’), Djaier Prijor (20’, 31’) and Giraynho Kluivert (45’+1) paved the way for Suriname, while Turks and Caicos Islands got scores from Cory Williams (28’) and Hency Gedeon (87’).
With Suriname winning, it was up to one of Antigua and Barbuda or El Salvador to claim all three points to advance, and in the end, El Salvador got the job done with a 1-0 triumph. Christopher Guardado got the job done with a goal in the 57’, to clinch a first-place finish and a berth in the CMU20 for the Cuscatlecos.
Group C
Group C concluded at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, starting with Aruba and Barbados, who played to a 1-1 draw. Nathan La Cruz (9’) scored for Aruba, while Shamari Harewood (35’) supplied the Barbados goal.
Host nation Guatemala left no doubt in claiming the top spot in Group C, downing Curacao 1-0 to qualify for this summer’s Championship. Olger Escobar scored the winning goal for Guatemala in the 63’.
