The action resumed in Group B of League B in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League with two encounters on Monday.
Nicaragua continued its winning start with a convincing victory in its home opener. The Dominican Republic were also victorious at home earlier in the night as it moved into the second place.
Dominican Republic vs. Montserrat
The Dominican Republic defeated Montserrat, 3-0, at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The hosts took the lead in the 3’ after Dominican midfielder Jean Lopez forced an own goal from defender Abraham Dorsett.
Edarlyn Reyes nearly scored a wondergoal for the home side but was denied by the top post in the 5’ in an attempt from just outside the penalty arc. Immediately after, Montserrat goalkeeper Kynami Nelson made a pivotal save to deny Ronaldo Vasquez on the rebound.
Dominican Republic GK Xavier Valdez and defender Michael Sambataro were then crucial to halt a potential equalizer in the 19’ by impeding forward Lyle Taylor.
Dorny Romero doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 25’ thanks to a long through pass from Edison Azcona.
Romero nearly collected his second in the 44’, but couldn’t connect properly on a long cross from Michael Sambataro as Montserrat were spared prior to halftime.
The Dominican Republic began to pull away in the second half as Romero completed his brace on a breakaway in the 64’ following a long assist form Jeremy Baez.
The win lifts the Dominican Republic to second in the group and improves the nation’s record to 1-0-1 in the campaign. Montserrat, also with a 1-0-1 record, moves to third in the group.
Nicaragua vs. Barbados
Nicaragua won 5-1 against Barbados on a rainy night at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.
Ariagner Smith opened the scoring in the 11’ with a header at the near post on a corner kick.
Juan Luis Perez sent fans into a roar with a hit from long range in the 40’ to extend the lead for the hosts.
A penalty was awarded to Nicaragua right before the half, as Juan Barrera was taken down inside the box. Jaime Moreno converted the spot kick for the three-goal lead.
Jacob Montes continued the offensive production with the fourth goal of the night in the 69’ after Smith was blocked on the attempt, but the ball fell to Montes who drove it into the area for a diagonal strike.
Moreno completed his brace in the 75’ on a second chance opportunity inside the box. Brathwaite pushed away a whipped in ball from Josue Quijano but Moreno was there to clean up the play.
Nicaraguan goalkeeper Miguel Rodriguez was sent off in the 85’ for a takedown just outside the box. Down to 10 men, and out of substitutions, it was Moreno who donned the goalkeeper jersey for the final stretch.
Thierry Gale of Barbados converted from the ensuing free kick upon the restart in the 89’, as Moreno nearly got a hand for the save.
Nicaragua retains first place in the group and improves to a 2-0-0 mark. Barbados occupy the last spot in the group and will look to improve from a 0-2-0 start during the October FIFA fixtures.
