Guyana and Suriname have put themselves in prime position to qualify for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup after securing contrasting victories in their first-leg preliminary clashes on Friday. Both teams will aim to seal the deal in Tuesday’s return legs as they chase a spot in the region’s premier football tournament.

In a thrilling encounter at the BFA Technical Centre in Bridgetown, Barbados, Guyana edged Guatemala 3-2 thanks to a hat trick from Isaiah Jones. The Golden Jaguars struck early when Jones capitalized on a precise through ball from Nathan Moriah-Welsh to fire home in the ninth minute.

Guatemala responded in the 29th minute through José Martínez, who leveled the score with a left-footed finish inside the box. However, Jones was far from done. The forward restored Guyana’s lead in the 36th minute before completing his hat trick in the 56th, giving his team a two-goal cushion.

Guatemala pulled one back in the 80th minute when José Pinto converted from the penalty spot, but Guyana held firm to take the narrow advantage into Tuesday’s decisive clash at Estadio Cementos Progreso in Guatemala City.

Meanwhile, Suriname claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Martinique at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadium in Paramaribo.

The decisive moment came in the 52nd minute when Gyrano Kerk latched onto a delivery from Denzel Jubitana and calmly slotted a right-footed finish into the net.

Suriname had a golden chance to double their lead in the 66th minute after earning a penalty, but Gleofilo Vlijter’s effort sailed wide. The slim advantage sets up a tense second leg at Stade Pierre-Aliker in Fort-de-France, Martinique, as both teams remain in the hunt for qualification.

Elsewhere, Honduras came from behind to beat Bermuda 5-3, with Romell Quioto bagging a brace. Guadeloupe edged Nicaragua 1-0, while Costa Rica made a huge statement with a 7-0 demolition of Belize, thanks to a Manfred Ugalde double.