Nicaragua seal promotion, while Bermuda leapfrog into first

MIAMI. - Nicaragua sealed promotion to League A by clinching first place in Group B of League B in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League on Friday.

A Montserrat victory over the Dominican Republic allowed Nicaragua to secure their ascent in the penultimate matchday. By way of the same results, Barbados will be relegated to League C for the next CNL edition.

Over in Group C, Bermuda jumped into first place with a victory against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Belize climbed out of the relegation spot with a goal on the last play of the match, leaving all to decide on the final matchday.

Montserrat vs. Dominican Republic

Montserrat took a 2-1 victory against the Dominican Republic at the Blakes Estate Stadium in Plymouth, Montserrat.

Montserrat’s Brandon Barzey opened the scoring in the 37’ with a header at the far post. Kaleem Strawbridge was influential in the build-up by playing off a give-and-go before crossing the ball across the box.

Heinz Morschel of the Dominican Republic tried an attempt from long-range in the 40’, but the attempt was saved by Corrin Brooks.

Strawbridge extended the lead to 2-0 in the 57’ with a curling attempt from edge of the box, rebounding off the left post and into goal.

Edarlyn Reyes took one back for the visitors in the 75’ with a power strike inside the box. Jean Lopez provided the service to the left post for Reyes to control and strike it with power.

Dominic Richmond nearly got a third for Montserrat in the 85’ but the substitute’s strike went just outside of the left post. The home team would hold on to seal the win.

Barbados vs. Nicaragua

Nicaragua earned a 4-0 win over Barbados at the Wildey Turf Stadium in Wildey, Barbados to win Group B and clinch promotion to League A.

The visitors were awarded a penalty kick after Bancy Hernandez was taken down inside the box. Junior Arteaga buried the attempt into the left bottom corner to give Nicaragua the lead in the 22’.

Nextaly Rodríguez extended the lead in the 43’ with a long-range hit from right field that found the left netting.

Luis Coronel added his name to the scoresheet in the 55’ with a hit on the volley from outside the box. Henry Nino supplied the assist from deep in midfield.

Jacob Montes added a fourth in the 59’ after protecting a through ball and seeing it into the box and past goalkeeper Liam Brathwaite.

Tajio James was close in getting one back in the 80’, but Nicaragua GK Cesar Salandia blocked the attempt with his right leg to deflect it over goal, preserving his clean sheet.

Bermuda vs. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Bermuda won 3-1 over Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at the Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda, a result that sees them take over first place in Group C by a point over French Guiana.

An elaborate build up from the home team led to a Ne-Jai Tucker strike inside the box in the 5’ to gain the early lead.

Djair Parfitt was denied by the left post in the 16’, as the hosts almost doubled the lead during a rainy stretch.

Bermuda GK Dale Eve kept the score intact with a strip in 26’ to deny Cornelius Stewart.

Nazir McBurnette delivered the 1-1 equalizer in the 34’ with a strike from midfield that took a deflection and curled to the right where Eve couldn’t get to it.

But Kane Crichlow regained the lead for the hosts just before halftime, in the 44’, by pouncing on a second chance strike after a block from GK Lemus Christopher.

Eve then made a crucial save during the only minute of first half stoppage time to deny a Kyle Edwards from crossing the goal line.

Parfitt scored what would be an insurance goal in the 50’ with a strike to the right corner of goal, completing the 3-1 scoreline.

Belize vs. French Guiana

Belize took a dramatic 1-0 victory French Guiana at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.

French Guiana’s Arnold Abelinti had eyes for the opening goal early with a header inside the box in the 2’, but was denied by Belize GK Charles Tillett.

Abelinti had an opportunity inside the box in the 9’ but could not get the power behind it to open the scoring.

One of the better opportunities for the hosts came as Eldon Reneau tried to find Gilroy Thurton at the far post in the 20’ on a long free kick attempt.

Tillett had a busy first half with a key save in the 35’ on a Thomas Nemouthe powerful strike from distance.

Nemouthe then had a shot towards goal in the 52’ to continue the French Guiana offense in the second half.

French Guiana GK Donovan Leon cut off a cross towards from Norman Anderson into the box in the 77’ to keep the score line even as Horace Avila was prowling inside the penalty area.

A corner kick provided the opportunity for the game-winner in the 90+6’, as Eugene Martinez headed the ball in to take the full three points for Belize.