MIAMI, Florida – Group F of 2023 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship Qualifying took center stage on Friday with the day’s lone two games both coming out of the group at the Estadio Nacional in Managua, Nicaragua.
It started with a winning result for Belize, who earned their first victory of the tournament in a 6-1 final with Saint Lucia.
Belize opened the scoring through Shaylalee Flowers (6’), only to see Saint Lucia pull level 1-1 courtesy of Freegeanne Joseph (17’). Roshanny Narvaez (36’) restored Belize’s lead at 2-1, but then a sending off for Flowers in the 49’ left Belize down a player for almost the entire second half.
The Central Americans embraced that challenge, though, and summoned up four straight goals to close the encounter through a Khalydia Velasquez brace (54’, 86’) plus scores from Elva Nunes (68’) and Kenya Perez (76’).
The nightcap saw Costa Rica edge host nation Nicaragua 2-1 in a tight contest between the Central American rivals.
Sheika Scott handed the Ticas an early lead with a goal in the 6’ and then the lead was doubled by Marian Solano in the 32’. Nicaragua mounted a comeback attempt, beginning with a long-range free kick from Adriana Munguia in the 71’ that cut the lead to 2-1, but Costa Rica would hold on to secure the three points.
Group F will wrap up on Sunday, as Costa Rica meet Guatemala in the group finale with the Ticas enjoying a three-point advantage on both Guatemala and Nicaragua and a 17-goal cushion on goal difference on second-place Guatemala.
Meanwhile, in the day’s other game on Sunday, Nicaragua will close out against Saint Lucia with Nicaragua three points and 21 goals behind Costa Rica on goal difference.
