MIAMI, Florida – Mexico and Panama were among some of the top teams to secure big wins, as the 2022 Concacaf W Qualifiers continued on Thursday.
The day kicked off with Trinidad and Tobago squaring off with Nicaragua in Group F and it proved to be a fiercely competitive 90 minutes, with the Soca Warriors taking a 2-1 final over the Pinoleras.
Asha James got Trinidad and Tobago on the scoreboard with a left-footed shot in the 17’ to make it 1-0, but the home side encountered trouble when Kedie Johnson was sent off in the 44’.
Nevertheless, Trinidad and Tobago hung tough and got a crucial insurance goal in the 64’ through Karyn Forbes. A Nicaragua goal in the 90+5’ from Yessenia Flores made for a nervy finale, but in the end, the three points belonged to Trinidad and Tobago.
Haiti are off to a winning start in Group E after taking down Honduras 6-0 in the Dominican Republic.
Batcheba Louis had a brace (33’, 50’), while Chelsea Surpris (15’), Kethna Louis (20’), Roselord Borgella (42’) and Sherly Jeudy (56’) all contributed goals in a commanding performance for the Caribbean side.
Jamaica secured three points in their first match of Group C, downing a very tough Bermuda side 4-0. Jody Brown got the Reggae Girlz off to a 1-0 lead in the 21’, with Trudi Carter doubling the advantage to 2-0 in the 30’. Star striker Khadija Shaw then bagged a late brace (82’, 90+3’) to complete the final scoreline.
Costa Rica looked very strong to kickstart things in Group B, as they rolled to a 7-0 home win versus Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Mariana Benavides had a pair of goals (16’, 54’) and was joined on the scoresheet by Priscila Chinchilla (45’), Carolina Venegas (45+3’), Raquel Rodriguez (58’), Gloriana Villalobos (60’) and Katherine Alvarado (90+7’).
Panama’s hopes of reaching a first ever Women’s World Cup started off in winning fashion in a 5-0 final over Barbados in Group D.
Karla Riley’s brace (45+1’, 47’), along with goals from Yomira Pinzon (41’), Laurie Batista (84’) and Katherine Castillo (90+5’) earned the Canaleras the three points.
The day then concluded with Mexico getting off to a victorious start in Group A, defeating Suriname 9-0 in Monterrey.
2021 Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year nominee Stephany Mayor opened the scoring in the 9’ before Katty Martinez added a pair of scores in the 24’ and 33’. Diana Garcia Castillo then had a goal on each side of halftime in the 45+2’ and 48’ before Rebeca Bernal (62’), Carolina Jaramillo (75’), Maricarmen Reyes (88’) and Alicia Cervantes (89’) tacked on another four goals in the final half-hour.