MIAMI, Florida – The Road to W Gold Cup action in League C continued with three games on Thursday, with two matches in Group A and one in Group D.
Turks and Caicos Islands vs. Belize
Belize made it three straight wins to start Group A as they defeated Turks and Caicos Islands 6-0 at the TCIFA National Stadium in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
It was a perfect start for Belize, who grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 11’ via the penalty spot when Khalydia Velasquez was fouled just inside the area. Mikhaila Bowden stepped up to take it, but saw her attempt saved by Turks and Caicos GK Eridania Medina, only for Bowden to fire in the rebound.
Velasquez then got in on the scoring act in the 36’ to double the Belize lead to 2-0 by receiving a pass from Sabrina Eiley and sliding a shot past Medina.
Medina would keep her side within two goals by saving another penalty in first half stoppage time, as she stopped Iamara Baptist’s attempt.
Belize kept things going to start the second half and the lead grew to 3-0 in the 49’ when Shamika Lambey poked in a shot at the back post. Eiley then extended the margin to 4-0 in the 54’ by knocking in a corner kick with her right boot.
Bowden got her second goal of the day in the 67’ for a 5-0 Belize lead by steering in a header off a corner kick. Ashley Rodriguez then got in on the action in the 77’ to complete the 6-0 scoreline.
Bonaire vs. Aruba
The other game in Group A was a history-making one, as Bonaire won their first senior women’s national team match in a 3-1 final with Aruba at the Stadion Antonio Trenidat in Rincon, Bonaire.
Aruba jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the 11’ through Vanessa Susanna, who converted a penalty after Bonny Lammers had been fouled in the Bonaire area.
Bonaire’s historical first ever goal came later in the half in the 36’ with Bibi Wijnschenk converting from the spot after Vurgy-Ann Visers was fouled in the Aruba area to even the score at 1-1.
Bonaire then grabbed a 2-1 in the 42’ and it was Wijnschenk again from the penalty spot after another foul on Visers in the Aruba area.
There was more to come in the first half, as Bonaire were reduced to 10 in the 45+2’ after Akira Cecilia was sent off with a straight red card.
Playing a player down for the entire second half was a big hurdle to clear, but Bonaire were able to do it thanks to the steady hands of GK Rose Engelhart, who finished the night with four saves.
Bonaire then capped their memorable night in second half stoppage time when Nyjhean-Anne Rier scored from 30 yards to complete the 3-1 scoreline.
Cayman Islands vs. Curacao
Curacao made their Group D debut in the Road to W Gold Cup a victorious one in a 2-0 final with Cayman Islands at the Truman Bodden Stadium in George Town, Cayman Islands.
After a scoreless first half between the teams, Jeleaugh Rosa was the one who was able to break the deadlock to give Curacao a 1-0 lead in the 49’ and did so in fantastic fashion by firing in from 40 yards out with Cayman Islands GK Sophie Roberts off her line.
The advantage was quickly doubled to 2-0 in the 53’ by Sadeyah Rosa, who turned in the rebound off a Kadisha Martina shot.
Cayman Islands kept fighting, though, and came close to pulling a goal back in the 87’ when Molly Kehoe was in on goal, but her shot was blocked by Curacao GK Julainy Fanijten, who then saw things out until the final whistle to record the clean sheet victory.
