High-flying Haiti was set to take off on Thursday in Group E against Honduras in the 2022 CONCACAF W Qualifiers in what was expected to be a very exciting encounter, according to CONCACAF.
It said Nerilia Mondesir and Melchie Dumornay are the ones to watch in the encounter.
“Both players have earned Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards at various CONCACAF Youth National Team tournaments, and now they looking to take it to another level with the Senior Women’s National Team,” said CONCACAF on Wednesday.
“Honduras will counter with a squad that have made great strides in recent years,” it added. “Las Catrachas took down regional rivals El Salvador in a November 2021 friendly and have goal-scoring threat Linda Moncada back in the fold.”
CONCACAF said some of the region’s other top women’s national teams were also expected to be in action on Thursday.
Mexico’s quest for a FIFA Women’s World Cup return begins with a home date against Suriname in the first match of Group A for both teams.
CONCACAF said El Tricolor has “a plethora of weapons to choose from,” including Concacaf Women’s Player of the Year nominee and MF Stephany Mayor of Tigres, FW Katty Martinez of Club America and goal-scoring machine Alicia Cervantes of Chivas.
But “Suriname will not be fazed, though, as they are coming off of two solid results in friendlies with Barbados in late January in which Orthea Riley scored in a 1-1 draw, followed by a narrow 1-0 loss,” CONCACAF said.
“Another strong performance from the Suriname defense could make for an interesting evening,” it added.
Costa Rica are also keen to return to its first Women’s World Cup since Canada 2015 and begin its journey in Group B against St. Kitts and Nevis.
CONCAF said St. Kitts and Nevis has enjoyed “a productive preparation” for the W Qualifiers with a 3-0 win and 0-0 draw against Anguilla in a pair of tune-ups.
Jahzara Claxton, Caroline Springer and Leranja Wilkinson all scored against Anguilla and “will look to continue their good form against the Ticas,” CONCACAF said.
It said 2019 Women’s World Cup side Jamaica kicks off its qualifying campaign in Group C with a tricky home date against an improving Bermuda side.
“FW Khadija Shaw will be the main preoccupation for Bermuda Head Coach Naquita Robinson, while Trudi Carter is also threat in midfield for the Reggae Girlz,” CONCACAF said.
It said Bermuda boasts a very young team with many of the faces scheduled to play in next month’s CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Championship, including DF Jaden Masters, who scored in CWU20 Qualifying.
Panama and Barbados will each seek winning starts in Group D when they meet in Panama, CONCACAF said.
It said the visiting Lady Tridents did well in a 1-1 draw and 1-0 win against Suriname in friendlies last month, with Alyssa Yard supplying the two goals.
In Group F, Trinidad and Tobago and Nicaragua will battle, with both teams fancying their chances of winning the group, according to CONCACAF.
“Former Men’s National Team star Kenwyne Jones is the head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago team and will call upon the leadership of experienced DF Lauryn Hutchinson to help tame Nicaragua’s dangerous quartet of Jaclyn Gilday, Sheyla Flores, Yessenia Flores and Martha Silva,” it said.
