MIAMI, Florida – El Salvador, Cuba and Guatemala all earned big wins on Thursday in Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying to edge closer to summer’s 2024 Concacaf Men’s Under-20 Championship.
Group A
Group A resumed on Thursday at the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua, with British Virgin Islands getting their second win in a 3-1 final with Anguilla. Azarni Callwood notched a hat-trick (18’, 23’, 89’) for BVI, while Jared Smeins (28’) scored for Anguilla.
The nightcap saw Cuba down Belize, 1-0, on a goal from Aniel Casanova in the 12’ to pull even with Nicaragua on nine points at the top of the group.
Group B
Guyana and Turks and Caicos Islands kicked off the action early in Group B at the ABFA Technical Centre in Piggots, Antigua and Barbuda, with Guyana holding on for a 2-1 victory. Ezekial Rowland (32’, 55’) had a brace for the Golden Jaguars, while Emmanuel Martin (90’) got on the scoresheet for Turks and Caicos Islands.
The second match of the group ended with a massive three points for El Salvador against Suriname, 3-0. Christopher Argueta (17’), Nestor Delgado (24’) and Kiano Casamalhuapa (66’) supplied the goals for El Salvador, who now sit atop the group one point ahead of Antigua and Barbuda.
Group C
Group C was back at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, beginning with Barbados taking down Saint Martin 4-2. Goals from Xavier Webster (1’), Ethan Taylor (77’) and Khalil Vanderpool Nurse (80’, 90’+1) doubled up a score from Jaheem Joe (42’) and a Warren Trotman own goal (72’) for Saint Martin.
In the nightcap, Guatemala catapulted into first place with nine points, two ahead of Curacao, after a 4-0 win versus Aruba. Rudy Munoz (8’), Daniel Mendez (24’, 37’), Matthew Evans (45’) and Axel De La Cruz (85’) brought the home fans to their feet with goals.
