MIAMI. - The last matchday of the window in League C of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League is all about Group A, with a pair of matches in this highly competitive group taking place on Tuesday evening. The race for promotion is heating up as this group heads into the back half of the schedule.
Bonaire vs. US Virgin Islands
Group A leaders Bonaire have a chance to really assert their position over the other contenders if they can manage another win against the US Virgin Islands on friendlier soil in Curacao.
These two teams met a few days ago, and the game was very tight until the final 10 minutes before Bonaire finally pulled ahead with two quick goals to swipe three points on the road.
It was a tough moment for the Dashing Eagles, but the US Virgin Islands now have a chance to return the favor with a road win of their own that would thrust them right back into the promotion conversation.
Ayrton Cicilia has grabbed most of the headlines for Bonaire, with four goals and two assists already, but Jonathan Libania (two goals) has been great in his own right, and the pair have formed something of a two-headed monster for opposing defenses so far during this competition.
For the US Virgin Islands, it’s captain JC Mack leading the charge with two goals, including the dramatic 96th minute winner against Turks and Caicos back on June 6. 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League saves champ Lionel Brown has been as good as ever in net, with eight saves so far in this campaign.
Both teams have already played one match apiece at the Rignaal “Jean” Francisca Stadium earlier in the tournament; the US Virgin Islands drew 1-1 with Sint Maarten, while Bonaire drew 2-2, also with Sint Maarten.
Turks and Caicos Islands vs. Sint Maarten
Familiar foes Sint Maarten and Turks and Caicos Islands will square off again, this time at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands.
The last time out for Sint Maarten was a day to remember, as the team put on a record-breaking performance that saw them score eight goals against Turks and Caicos Islands. The victory means that Sint Maarten are now very much in the mix to top this group, and it was also a bit of sweet revenge following two defeats to Turks and Caicos Islands during the previous Nations League.
This growing rivalry has been defined by two superstars: Sint Maarten’s Gerwin Lake and Turks and Caicos’ Billy Forbes. In their first encounter in 2019, Forbes had a hat trick to top Lake’s brace. In the rematch later that year, they had one goal apiece. This past Saturday, Forbes had two while Lake grabbed four. Much of the attention, and rightfully so, will be on these two titans as the next chapter of their story unfolds.
But keep an eye on Sint Maarten’s Sergio Hughes as well. Hughes had a huge performance in the big win a few days ago with two goals and an assist. Likewise, Turks and Caicos Islands forward Junior Paul has looked a constant threat over his last two matches, and it can be argued only bad luck has kept his goal tally from rising beyond the one he scored against the US Virgin Islands last week.
Depending on the results of the other match, a win could see Sint Maarten leap into first place. And while Turks and Caicos can’t escape last place on the day, and their promotion chances are fleeting, there is no doubt they’ll be giving it their all to play spoiler to their rivals.
