MIAMI, Florida – The 2022 Concacaf W Qualifiers returned to action on Wednesday, as Dominica and Curacao were among the teams securing their first victory in qualifying.
Antigua and Barbuda collected their first three points in Group A thanks to a 1-0 victory against Anguilla at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua.
Kai Jacobs provided the scoring for the hosts in the 27’ by turning in a shot after Anguilla GK Samisha Connor had blocked a long-range free kick.
The margins were also thin in Group B, as Curacao earned the three points in a narrow 1-0 triumph over the US Virgin Islands at the Bethlehem Soccer Complex in Saint Croix, USVI.
Riesmarly Tokaay supplied the winning goal for the visitors in the 23’ when a corner kick took a slight deflection and Tokaay was able to steer home a left-footed shot for the goal.
The Cayman Islands etched their name into the win column in Group C by virtue of their 2-0 victory against Grenada at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium in St. George’s, Grenada.
An even first 45 minutes gave way to a second half in which the Cayman Islands were able to take control. Shayana Windsor broke the deadlock in the 53’ with a slick turn and a composed right-footed finish to make it 1-0. Neesah Godet then added an insurance goal in the 86’ by stroking in a right-footed shot to complete the 2-0 scoreline.
The lone draw of the day came in Group D, as Aruba and Belize played to an exciting 1-1 draw at the BFF Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
Vanessa Susanna scored for the second straight game to hand Aruba a 1-0 lead in the 24’, only for Belize to fight right back and equalize 1-1 in the 33’ through Mikhaila Bowden.
Both teams sought a winning goal, but the defenses proved to be too strong, resulting in a share of the spoils.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines picked up their first three points in Group E qualifying on the strength of 5-1 win against British Virgin Islands at Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Five different players found the back of the net for the home side, with Annesta Richards (7’), Areka Hooper (14’), Kristiane Wyllie (33’), Dionte Delpeche (66’) and Kitanna Richards (90+3’) getting the goals. There was some solace for the visitors, however, as they scored their first goal in qualifying from a Kitanna Richards own goal in the 61’.
Windsor Park Sport Stadium in Roseau, Dominica was the site for Dominica’s first victory, an 8-1 final against Turks and Caicos Islands.
The star of the day for the home side was the aptly named Starr Humphreys, who scored a hat trick with goals in the 32’, 46’ and 48’.
Sari Finn also supplied a brace with scores in the 33’ and 40’, while Kasika Samuel (11’), Kylee Bertrand (84’) and Briyanna Philip (90’) added their names to the scoresheet for the hosts.
Despite the defeat, Turks and Caicos Islands did have a bright spot, with Kadine Delphin scoring her side’s first goal in qualifying, finding the back of the net in the 45+2’.
