MIAMI. - Eight teams in Concacaf Nations League B will look to build on strong starts or bounce back from disappointment on Sunday, with Matchday 4 bringing several teams who debuted Thursday back in action.
Guatemala vs. Belize
The day starts with a pair of Central American teams looking to recover from adverse results, as Guatemala hosts Belize in Group D at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in the capital.
Guatemala suffered its first-ever CNL defeat Thursday, falling 2-0 to French Guiana. Manager Luis Fernando Tena and his group will hope to recapture the team’s form in the previous tournament. Belize, led by all-time leading scorer Deon McCaulay who has a pair of CNL goals, is looking for a strong showing after falling to the Dominican Republic in its 2022-23 debut, 2-0.
R: Diego Montaño (MEX)
Dominican Republic vs. French Guiana
In the other Group D matchup, the two winners on day one square off at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, with a chance to snatch sole possession of the top of the group.
Both teams are led by managers who won in their CNL debuts, though French Guiana had continuity at the back from GK Donovan Leon, who made four saves last edition and kept a clean sheet against Guatemala. Both Dorny Romero and Jean Carlos Lopez scored Thursday to move into a tie as the DR’s all-time top CNL goal scorer with two each.
R: Ricardo Montero (CRC)
Cuba vs. Barbados
Group A saw a thrilling first day, as both matches entered the 90th minute tied and ended with a winner.
Cuba and Barbados meet at the Estadio Antonio Maceo in the first-ever CNL match taking place on Cuban soil. After suffering first-day defeats, both will want to finish the job for their first-ever League B points.
Cuba will hope to take inspiration from its first-ever CNL goal, a stunner from Maykel Reyes in the 2-1 loss to Guadeloupe, while Barbados will hope to support GK Kishmar Primus. The shot-stopper was the goalkeeper who played the most minutes in League C in the inaugural tournament and put in a superb showing in the 1-0 loss to Antigua and Barbuda.
R: Marco Ortíz (MEX)
Antigua and Barbuda vs. Guadeloupe
Guadeloupe is yet to lose a CNL match in history and puts that record on the line with a trip to play Antigua and Barbuda at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Shavorn Philip scored his first goal in the tournament to beat Barbados, adding to the assist he had in the 2019-20 tournament. GK Nicholas Townsend impressed in his CNL debut, keeping a clean sheet with four saves.
Guadeloupe will counter with its own blend of experience and youth. Veteran Gregory Gendrey scored his ninth goal for Les Gwada Boys against Cuba, while it was a first CNL goal for Thierry Ambrose, who earned his first international cap in 2022.
R: Reginald Gumbs (SKN)
