Concacaf
·11 September 2024
Concacaf
·11 September 2024
MIAMI – Jamaica sits at the top of Group B in League A as the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League concluded its September match window on Tuesday.
Nicaragua, also with four points and a 1-1-0 record, sits second, separated by tiebreakers. Honduras, Cuba, French Guiana, and Trinidad and Tobago round out the group after the first two group stage matches.
Cuba vs. Nicaragua
Cuba and Nicaragua tied 1-1 at Estadio Antonio Maceo in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.
After generating more attacking opportunities throughout the first half, Cuba found the opener through a penalty converted by Karel Espino in the 42’.
The hosts nearly extended the lead late in the second half, in the third minute of added time, but a left-footed strike from Karel Pérez was just wide of the far post.
Widman Talavera scored the equalizer in the 90’ +7 to secure a vital point for Nicaragua.
Due to the late draw, Nicaragua ended the day tied for first place in the group. Cuba earned its second point after consecutive draws in their opening CNL matchups.
Trinidad and Tobago vs. French Guiana
Trinidad and Tobago met French Guiana in a nil-nil draw at Dwight Yorke Stadium in Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago.
Loïc Ball had a look inside the box in the 27’ but was denied by Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Denzil Smith.
Daniel Phillips came close to placing the hosts in the lead with a long-range strike in the 39’, but the attempt clashed with the woodwork.
Reon Moore came close to scoring for Trinidad and Tobago in the 64’, but his finish inside the box hit the outside netting.
Denzil Smith saw out the clean sheet, his first of the campaign. French Guiana goalkeeper Fei Hong Faham recorded two saves to earn his first clean sheet in the current edition.
Trinidad and Tobago claimed its first point as a result. French Guiana recorded a consecutive tie to improve to two points in Group B.
Honduras vs. Jamaica
Jamaica defeated Honduras 2-1 at Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in a match with first-place implications.
Michael Antonio had Jamaica’s clearest opportunity in the first half in the 23’, but his left-footed strike from the left side of the box was just wide.
The Reggae Boyz opened the scoring by forcing an own goal from Denil Maldonado in the 49’, following a ball delivered into the box by Norman Campbell.
Honduras equalized one minute after in the 50’, with David Ruiz finishing from close range.
Antonio restored the lead for Jamaica in the 76’, converting from the penalty spot to score the match-winner for the visitors.
Thanks to the victory, Jamaica gained four points and rose into first place in Group B. Honduras dropped to third in the group but is only one point from the top of the group.