Nicaraguan players celebrate a goal against Barbados
Concacaf
Nicaragua will contest League A in the next edition of the Concacaf Nations League, as they sealed promotion with a 4-0 beating of Barbados in Group B of League B on Friday.
A Montserrat victory over Dominican Republic allowed Nicaragua to secure their ascent on the penultimate matchday, while the defeat for Barbados confirmed their relegation to League C for the next Nations League edition.
Over in Group C, Bermuda jumped into first place with a victory against St Vincent and the Grenadines, while Belize climbed out of the relegation spot with a goal on the last play of the match, leaving all to be decided on the final matchday.
Montserrat vs. Dominican Republic
Montserrat took a 2-1 victory at home to Dominican Republic at the Blakes Estate Stadium in Plymouth.
Montserrat’s Brandon Barzey opened the scoring in the 37th minute, with a header at the far post. Kaleem Strawbridge was influential in the build-up, as he played off a give-and-go before crossing the ball across the box.
Heinz Morschel of the Dominican Republic went close with a shot from a distance in 40th, but Corrin Brooks, in goal for Nicaragua, proved equal to the task.
Strawbridge extended Nicaragua's lead in the 57th with a curling attempt from edge of the box that kissed the left upright on its way in.
Edarlyn Reyes pulled one back for the visitors in the 75th with a power strike inside the box. Jean Lopez provided the service to the left post for Reyes to control and finish with aplomb.
Dominic Richmond nearly got a third for Montserrat in the 85th, but the substitute’s strike went just outside of the left post.
Barbados vs. Nicaragua
Nicaragua earned a 4-0 win over Barbados at the Wildey Turf Stadium in Wildey, Barbados to win Group B and clinch promotion to League A.
The visitors were awarded a penalty kick after Bancy Hernandez was taken down inside the box. Junior Arteaga buried the 22nd-minute 12-yard kick to put Nicaragua in front.
Nextaly Rodríguez extended the lead in the 43rd with a long-range hit from right field that found the left netting.
Luis Coronel added his name to the scoresheet in the 55th, with a hit on the volley from outside the box. Henry Nino supplied the assist from deep in midfield.
Jacob Montes added a fourth in the 59th, after protecting a through ball and seeing it into the box and past goalkeeper Liam Brathwaite.
Tajio James almost had a consolation for Barbados in the 80th, but Nicaragua's goalkeeper Cesar Salandia blocked the attempt with his right leg to deflect it over goal, preserving his clean sheet.
Bermuda vs. St Vincent and the Grenadines
Bermuda won 3-1 over St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Dame Flora Duffy National Sports Centre in Devonshire Parish, Bermuda.
With the win, Bermuda assumed pole position in Group C by a point over French Guiana.
An elaborate build up from the home team led to a Ne-Jai Tucker strike inside the box in the fifth minute to grab the early ascendancy.
Djair Parfitt was denied by the left post in the 16th, as the hosts almost doubled the lead during a rainy stretch.
Bermuda's goalkeeper Dale Eve kept the score intact with a strip in 26th, to deny Cornelius Stewart.
Nazir McBurnette put St Vincent and Grenadines back on level terms with a 34th-minute strike from midfield that took a deflection and curled to the right, leaving Eve no chance at a save.
But Kane Crichlow regained the lead for the hosts in the 44th, by pouncing on a second chance strike after a block from goalkeeper Lemus Christopher.
Eve then made a crucial save during the only minute of first half stoppage time to deny a Kyle Edwards from crossing the goal line.
Parfitt scored what would be an insurance goal in the 50th with a strike to the right corner of goal, completing the 3-1 scoreline.
Belize vs. French Guiana
Belize took a dramatic 1-0 victory French Guiana at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.
French Guiana’s Arnold Abelinti had eyes for the opening goal early with a header inside the box in the second minute but was denied by Belize's goalkeeper Charles Tillett.
Abelinti had an opportunity inside the box in the ninth but could not get the power behind it to open the scoring.
One of the better opportunities for the hosts came as Eldon Reneau tried to find Gilroy Thurton at the far post in the 20th on a long free kick attempt.
Tillett had a busy first half with a key save in the 35th on a Thomas Nemouthe powerful strike from distance.
Nemouthe then had a shot towards goal in the 52nd, as French Guiana continued to apply pressure.
French Guiana's custodian Donovan Leon cut off a cross towards from Norman Anderson into the box in the 77th to keep the score line even, as Horace Avila was prowling inside the penalty area.
A corner kick provided the opportunity for the game-winner in the 90+6, as Eugene Martinez headed the ball in to take the full three points for Belize.
Ben Smith proud of Ramsgate’s FA Cup run despite defeat at AFC Wimbledon
Ben Smith insists he is proud of Ramsgate’s FA Cup run despite elimination following a 5-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon at Plough Lane.
Iraq international Ali Al-Hamadi scored twice for the Dons, with Jake Reeves, Josh Neufville and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans also finding the net.
The Rams started the evening as the lowest-ranked team left in this season’s competition, but the five-goal defeat means they miss out on a home clash with Championship high-flyers Ipswich.
However, Smith was delighted to see his side stick to their style of play against EFL opposition.
“I am proud of the boys, I thought they gave it their all,” he said.
“I can’t say a player didn’t give me everything, they went to the last minute, and we did it in bucket loads.
“I think at times we did show some composure, and we did move the ball well, I just think we came up against a much better and stronger level of opposition than we are used to.
“They pressed the life out of us at times, we just didn’t have the answers in terms of forward passes.
“I would liked to have seen us score a goal, we had a couple of chances and their keeper pulled off a great save in the first half.
“It was just not to be, but I am proud of the players, it is not about tonight it is about the journey.
“You can see from the support at the end there, it was incredible.
“We move forward, it is about the league now, and this club needs to be higher than it is, that is our job, and we will use this as a springboard.”
Johnnie Jackson believes the Tractor Boys will provide a tough test when they travel to south London in the third round.
He said: “They are a top side and they are doing a great job there.
“They are doing some great stuff, and they have a chance of going up to the Premier League this year with what they are doing in the Championship.
“It will be a really tough game, but we know that, but we have been excellent here of late.
“That is five on the bounce now at home, so we feel like we can match teams, especially here.
“It will be the other way round, we will be looking to cause the shock and they will be looking to get the job done.
“The Ramsgate fans were class, they really added to the atmosphere of the game and they will probably be a bit disappointed that they did not see their team score.
“Credit to them, credit to Ben and his team, they have done themselves proud.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists he wants to keep goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale
Mikel Arteta insists he wants to keep Aaron Ramsdale – but refused to rule out the England goalkeeper leaving Arsenal in January.
Ramsdale lost his position as Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper earlier this season following the arrival of David Raya on loan from Brentford.
Since September 3, Ramsdale has made just three appearances – two of which came in the Carabao Cup, with his one Premier League game in that time coming with Raya ineligible against the Bees.
View this post on Instagram
With his place at Euro 2024 in the balance as he continues to warm the bench at the Emirates Stadium, Ramsdale’s future is seemingly up in the air.
Arteta recently urged Ramsdale to be patient over any decision, saying the situation could look very different in March.
A shoulder injury to England colleague Nick Pope, however, could see Newcastle in the market for another goalkeeper in January.
Asked if he would be open to selling Ramsdale to Newcastle, Arteta replied: “I want Aaron with us.
“I am very happy to have two very, very good goalkeepers and Aaron is staying with us.
“We want to be better, so we want to add to what we already have. That’s the intention that we have.”
But, when pushed on whether he would categorically rule out a January switch for Ramsdale, the Spaniard added: “I won’t do that to any player. Any player.
“I cannot tell you that any Arsenal player is not going to leave in January. Or he is to stay here for the next three years.
“I won’t say that no player is going to go to Newcastle. Or no member of the staff either. I won’t say it. If you say yes or no, I won’t say it.
“I cannot guarantee that nobody is going to be leaving in January. For Newcastle or any other club. So it is a no.”
Ali Al-Hamadi stars as AFC Wimbledon thump Ramsgate to reach FA Cup third round
Ali Al-Hamadi scored twice as AFC Wimbledon beat Ramsgate 5-0 to set up an FA Cup third-round clash with Championship high-flyers Ipswich.
The Rams started the evening as the lowest-ranked team left in the competition and were behind after just eight minutes when Al-Hamadi pounced on a loose pass before feeding Jake Reeves, who rifled a powerful strike into the top-left corner.
The hosts doubled their advantage when Iraq international Al-Hamadi poked home at the far post following a melee in the box, and it was three when Josh Neufville stroked the ball into an empty net in the 43rd minute.
The Isthmian League South East side kept fighting, with their best chance of the half falling to Lee Martin, but his close-range effort flew over the crossbar.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans found the bottom right corner with a driven shot to put the Dons 4-0 up three minutes after half-time.
Al-Hamadi scored his second of the match five minutes later to wrap up a convincing win, intercepting another poor Rams pass before finding the top right corner.
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
