The September calendar reached a conclusion in League B of the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League (CNL) with four encounters, according to CONCACAF.
It said St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) is top of Group C after its first two encounters, with Belize chasing right behind by three points.
CONCACAF said Bermuda and French Guiana round out the group after a rough start to their campaigns.
Puerto Rico leads Group D but only on goal differential, as Guyana also won its first two matches.
CONCACAF said Antigua and Barbuda and Bahamas will look to return strong for their October encounters, as CNL takes a momentary pause.
French Guiana vs. Belize
Belize scored twice in a span of four minutes to obtain a 2-0 away win against French Guiana at the Dr. Edmard Lama Municipal Stadium in Cayenne, French Guiana, CONCACAF said.
“The hosts looked closer to the lead early with one of their best opportunities coming in the 36’, but Belize left back DeShawon Nemhard was key in holding off winger Mickael Colino, allowing GK Charles Tillett to gather the ball,” CONCACAF said.
It said the visitors opened the scoring on a second chance following a free kick in the 64’, as Jordy Polanco headed in a service to the far post from Angelo Cappello.
CONCACAF said Belize increased its lead in the 68’, as Cappello himself found the back of the net on a counter attack.
“The task became more difficult for French Guiana as Zedan Charlec received a second yellow in the 71’”, it said. “The dying embers of the match nearly saw the home side get one back, but Yvelin Nozile’s shot hit the woodwork in the 90+4’.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines vs. Bermuda
CONCACAF said St. Vincent and the Grenadines outlasted Bermuda for a 4-3 victory at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Jai Bean put Bermuda in the lead at the 21’ with “a powerful strike from inside the penalty arc,” CONCACAF said.
But is said Oalex Anderson equalized in the 40’ with a header inside the box on a service from Cornelius Stewart.
“With the regained momentum, Stewart and Anderson combined again in the 42’ on the breakaway as the latter bagged his brace to put the hosts in the lead,” CONCACAF said.
It said Anderson then completed his hat-trick prior to the halftime break, in the 45+2’, after connecting on a long diagonal pass from Jahvin Sutherland.
“Sutherland etched his name on the scoresheet in the 63’ from a free kick chance to extend the lead four to one,” CONCACAF said. “Bermuda continued to fight back and cut the deficit in the 69’, as Remy Coddington got one past Garwin Davis at the far post. Reggie Lambe provided the service from a crowded space to find the open man.”
CONCACAF said Lejaun Simmons secured the third of the night for Bermuda in the 74’ to “cap off a chaotic play inside the box” and pull the visitors within one, but in the end the three points belonged to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Guyana vs. Bahamas
Guyana won 3-2 over The Bahamas at the National Track and Field in Leonora, Guyana, according to CONCACAF.
It said Bahamas goalkeeper Vance Wheaton blocked a shot on target from Omari Glasgow in the 31’ to keep the score level.
CONCACAF said Wood Julmis of Bahamas converted from the penalty spot in the 39’ to break the deadlock. Julmis was fouled inside the box by defender Liam Gordon on the prior play.
Omari Glasgow equalized with an “Olimpico” from a corner kick opportunity in the 44’ as his uncontested hit sailed into the far netting,” CONCACAF said.
It said the 19-year-old has four goals through the first two games and has surpassed his three-goal best in the 2022–23 edition.
CONCACAF said Stephen Duke-McKenna gained the lead for Guyana in the 54’ with a “powerful strike” from outside the box as Glasgow helped orchestrate the build-up.
Kelsey Benjamin extended the lead to 3-1 in the 58’ on a pass across goal from Glasgow to slide it just past Wheaton, CONCACAF said.
It said Julmis pulled one back in the 86’, completing a brace in the process.
CONCACAF said the Bahamas earned another penalty kick, which led to the second conversion from the spot kick and put a road point within reach.
Guyana was able to hold on for the victory to improve to 2-0-0, CONCACAF said.
It said the Bahamas, meanwhile, is still in search of their first victory.
Puerto Rico vs. Antigua and Barbuda
CONCACAF said Puerto Rico earned a 5-0 victory over Antigua and Barbuda at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas.
It said Puerto Rico took the lead in the 15’ thanks to a Gerald Diaz strike at the far post.
“A through ball from Nicolas Cardona led to a cross across from the left flank by Noeh Hernandez to architect the opening goal,” CONCACAF said.
It said Ricardo Rivera extended the lead from the penalty spot in the 39’ with a strike to the bottom left corner. Wilfredo Rivera earned the penalty after being taken down on a breakaway.
CONCACAF said Antigua and Barbuda went down to 10 men on the following play as Roneba Cordice was shown a red card in the 40’ for a tackle on Rivera.
Ricardo Rivera got his second of the night in the 43’ as Puerto Rico continued their offensive effectiveness for a big lead at the half, CONCACAF said.
It said Wilfredo Rivera then set up Diaz for a fourth Puerto Rico goal in the 46’.
CONCACAF said Kendukar Challenger was denied by the top post in the 54’ in what may have been the best chance for the Benna Boys to get on the scoreboard.
“The mountain got harder to climb for Antigua and Barbuda, as D´Andre Bishop picked up his second yellow card of the night, leaving the visitors with nine players in the 58’ minute mark,” CONCACAF said.
It said Diaz completed his hat-trick in the 90’ to cap off a five-goal victory and a 2-0-0 start in League B for Puerto Rico.
CONCACAF said Antigua and Barbuda fell to fourth in Group D, “as they’ll look to regroup for next month’s matches.”
