Saint Vincent and the Grenadines kept hopes of a promotion in the Concacaf Nations League alive as they beat Monserrat 2-1, while El Salvador clipped Bonaire 1-0 in Group A of League B on Thursday.

Steven Pierre (42nd) fired home from a delightful Shakeem Adams pass before Cornelius Stewart (86th) converted from the penalty spot to seal a crucial win for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Meanwhile, Donervorn Daniels (88th) scored Montserrat’s consolation in the curtain-raiser of the double-header at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador.

In the feature contest, host and group leaders El Salvador also secured a crucial win courtesy of Styven Vasquez’s 83rd-minute strike, which came from a Santos Ortiz assist.

By virtue of the results, El Salvador remain atop the standings on 12 points, two points ahead of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (10 points), while Bonaire (four points) and Montserrat (three points) are battling to avoid relegation.

As such, things will be interesting on Sunday’s final matchday as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will face Bonaire in the first encounter before El Salvador cross swords with Montserrat in the feature at the same venue.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines delivered a stunning performance on Sunday, defeating El Salvador 2-1 in a dramatic Concacaf Nations League clash at Arnos Vale Stadium. The victory cut El Salvador’s lead at the top of Group A in League B to just two points, reigniting the Vincy Heat’s hopes of advancing in the competition.

Heading into the match, El Salvador was on the verge of earning promotion and securing a direct spot in the 2025 Gold Cup with a win. However, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines had other plans, rallying in front of their home fans to secure a crucial three points.

The hosts took the lead in the 39th minute when Shakeem Adams capitalized on a bouncing ball in the box, slotting it home from close range to send the crowd into early celebrations. Despite El Salvador's efforts to find a quick equalizer, they were unable to break through the Vincy Heat defense in the first half.

El Salvador, however, responded with intensity in the second half, and their persistence paid off in the 71st minute. Captain Rudy Clavel headed in a redirected ball from a corner kick to bring La Selecta level, putting them back in control of their promotion ambitions.

But the drama was far from over. In the 88th minute, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines snatched the win with a moment of brilliance. Diel Spring slid in to connect with a perfectly placed cross from Bishon Richards, sending the ball past the El Salvador goalkeeper and sparking wild celebrations at Arnos Vale.

With the win, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines moved to seven points, closing the gap on group leaders El Salvador, who remain at the top with nine points. Meanwhile, Bonaire leaped to third in the group with four points after a 1-0 win over Montserrat, while Montserrat now sits at the bottom of Group A with three points.

The victory marks a significant moment for the Vincy Heat as they continue their push for qualification, while El Salvador will now have to regroup to secure promotion in the final stages of the 2024/25 Concacaf Nations League.

Suriname, Costa Rica and Guatemala opened their League A Concacaf Nations League accounts with victories, as did El Salvador in League B as the fourth edition of the tournament got into full swing on Thursday.

All battling for Group A honours, Suriname and Guatemala topped Guyana and Martinique 3-1, while Costa Rica blanked Guadeloupe 3-0, as all three teams sit on three points, separated only by a slight goal difference.

Meanwhile, in Group A of League B, El Salvador romped to a 4-1 win over Montserrat, while Bonaire and St Vincent and the Grenadines played out a 1-1 stalemate.

Guyana vs. Suriname

Suriname’s victory away to Guyana spoiled the Golden Jaguars League A debut at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.

After three seasons in League B, Guyana would have hoped to start life in League A on a positive note, but it was not to be.

Djevencio van der Kust sent Suriname in front with an 18th-minute strike. However, Omari Glasgow pulled Guyana level with a 41st-minute penalty conversion for his 11th Nations League goal to extend his tally as the nation’s leading scorer in the competition.

But Guyana’s celebrations were short-lived as Jaden Montor drove home a powerful effort from an angle in the 66th to put Suriname 2-1 up.

Virgil Misidjan then sealed the win for the Dutch-speaking Caribbean island with a tidy 83rd-minute finish.

Costa Rica vs. Guadeloupe

Costa Rica were always favoured to secure three points here and they did just that on home soil at Estadio Nacional in San José.

After a goalless first half, Costa Rica’s captain Francisco Calvo led from the front with an expert header from Joel Campbell’s weighted corner kick to put his team in front in the 50th minute.

Ariel Lassiter doubled the lead in the 77th when he tucked home a right-footer from close range.

Warren Madrigal added another in 81st to cap the win.

Guatemala vs. Martinique 

Guatemala extended their all-time unbeaten record at home to eight matches as they bettered Martinique in a first-ever meeting between the two at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores.

Rubio Rubin fired home from Oscar Santis’ cross to give Guatemala a 3rd-minute lead.

After keeping Guatemala at bay thanks to goalkeeper Yannis Clementia, who came up big to deny Rubin and Alejandro Galindo in the 10th and 22nd minutes, respectively, Martinique pulled level in the 51st when Kevin Appin headed home.

However, Guatemala regained the lead from the penalty spot when Jose Pinto converted in the 61st.

Martinique should have been back on level terms in the 72nd, but Brighton Labeau’s penalty kick was saved by Guatemala’s custodian Nicholas Hagen.

That allowed Guatemala to capitalise as Jose Martinez fired home in the 90+5 to secure all three points.

Group A action will resume on Monday, beginning with Guadeloupe against Suriname and Martinique against Guyana. A Central American clash will conclude the day’s play as Guatemala hosts Costa Rica.

Over in League B, El Salvador will be aiming to consolidate their lead atop the group when they take on Bonaire on Sunday, while St Vincent and the Grenadines play Montserrat.

Barbados and Bermuda were among teams that opened their 2024 Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys’ U-14 Challenge Series campaigns in convincing manners with 6-2 and 4-0 victories over St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada on Friday.

The tournament being hosted in Trinidad and Tobago started as expected, with Barbados dominating proceedings in a lopsided Group A, Tier II affair against St Vincent and the Grenadines. Games are played over 70 minutes.

Barbados broke the deadlock in the fourth minute through Maleek Peters, who tucked away a rebound after St Vincent and the Grenadines goalkeeper Kevon Phillips saved captain Jamarco Johnson’s effort.

They doubled the lead four minutes later, courtesy of Sacha Pounder, who finished a pass from Trey Barker.

St Vincent and the Grenadines pulled one back in the 17th when Jomain Ollivierre latched onto a through pass from Beau Hoyte and fired past goalkeeper Shaquan King.

Barker’s second assist came in the 32nd when he played a cross to Johnson, who finished from a tight angle to put Barbados 3-1 up at the break.

St Vincent and the Grenadines again reduced the deficit in the 42nd through Xavier Thorne's own goal. However, that was all they would get from the contest, as Barbados took control from there when Peters completed his brace in the 45th.

Substitute Rajari Rollins in the 50th with an easy finish from a Barker assist to make it 5-2 for Barbados. Barker was eventually rewarded for his efforts with a strike of his own in the 59th to complete the 6-2 scoreline.

Bermuda 4-0 Grenada

Bermuda also dominated their first match of Tier II Group C against Grenada at Ato Boldon Stadium.

Jeon Wolfe got Bermuda’s show going with a quick brace in the sixth and seventh minutes. He opened the scoring with a tidy finish from a Zydon Lightbourne Furbert assist and then slotted into an empty net a minute later.

An unfortunate own-goal pushed Grenada further behind, before Lightbourne Furbert capped Bermuda’s win with a 38th-minute strike.

Anguilla 1- 3 Turks and Caicos Islands

Over at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Turks and Caicos Islands scored a comfortable 3-1 win over Anguilla when the teams met in Tier II, Group B action.

Turks and Caicos struck first in the fourth minute courtesy of Wilsony Charles, who made no mistakes from close range. They doubled the lead a minute later when Khazaiviyon Basden-Darvol converted from the penalty spot, and that just about signalled the writing on the wall for Anguilla.

Anguilla pulled one back in the 36th through Zahir Hennis, who tucked home at the far post. However, Turk and Caicos restored their two-goal cushion and, by extension, wrapped up the win when Charles completed his brace with a well-driven shot from just outside the 18-yard box.

Antigua and Barbuda 2-1 Guyana

Antigua and Barbuda scored a 2-1 win over Guyana in Tier II Group A play at Larry Gomes Stadium.

Captain Shemar Walters opened the scoring for Antigua and Barbuda in the second minute with a well-taken effort.

Guyana's Mark Glasgow pulled his team level when he fired home in the 15th to keep things interesting.

But their celebrations were short-lived as Luke Harney Rogerson restored Antigua and Barbuda’s lead with a 21st-minute effort.

Though they continued to create chances, Antigua and Barbuda failed to add to their tally, but will hope to improve their scoring form in their next encounter on Sunday.

Bonaire 2-1 St. Lucia 

Bonaire secured a 2-1 hard-fought victory over St Lucia at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Tier II, Group C.

St Lucia dominated the opening moments, mainly through Randall Monroe, as the Bonaire defenders found the lanky winger’s running and technical ability difficult to handle. The St Lucians were rewarded for their early hard work and took the lead in the match through an own goal.  

Monroe got in behind the defence, and his cross found Eustace Blackstock on the back post. Blackstock’s redirected header came off Bonaire’s Julian Garcia Henriquez to give St. Lucia a 1-0 lead.

Bonaire drew level through Rayvion Simon, whose powerful volley from the top of the penalty area left Jervonti Toussaint rooted to the spot.

Margall Statie then gifted Bonaire the lead in the 32nd minute when got on the end of a Rushando Arrow whipped cross and finished with a expert header. 

Both teams will be back in action on Saturday. Bonaire plays Bermuda, and St Lucia takes on St Maarten.

Dominica 3-0 British Virgin Islands

Dominica blanked British Virgin Islands 3-0 when the teams met in Tier II Group B at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.

Che Etienne opened the scoring in the 11^th with an easy finish through the legs of BVI’s custodian, Trevon Steven. 

Taran George quickly made it 2-0 in the 12th with a comfortable finish from close range. He later completed his brace and his team’s victory with a 28-minute strike.

Dominica play the US Virgin Islands at 6:00 pm on Saturday, while BVI play Turks and Caicos Islands at 4:00 pm. 

Belize and Curacao wrapped up their Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifying campaign with victories in Groups A and D of League C on Monday.

Aruba vs Belize

Group A winners Belize celebrated their accomplishment with a 1-0 victory against Aruba at the Guillermo P. Trinidad Stadium in Oranjestad, Aruba. 

With the win, Belize ended unbeaten in six games and maximum 18 points, while outscoring opponents 20-1. Second-placed Aruba wrapped up their campaign with three wins and three loses, the nine points.

It was a very tight affair throughout the entire match, as both teams nullified each other's attacking prowess. As such, it wasn't until the 85th minute that Belize found the all-important strike, and it fittingly came from the right foot of Mikhaila Bowden.

Bowden's well-taken freekick lodged in the top right-hand corner of the goal, as she finished as one of the team’s top scorers on the campaign with five goals. 

Turks and Caicos Islands vs Bonaire

Bonaire were also victorious in their Group A finale, as they blanked Turks and Caicos Islands 2-0 at the TCIFA National Stadium in Providenciales.

It was the second victory for Bonaire, who ended with two wins, one draw and three losses, and seven points. Turks and Caicos Islands finished in fourth. 

Both Bonaire goals came in the first half. Vurgy-Ann Visers broke the deadlock in the 19th minute when she turned in a cross from the left wing from Jeanelle Thode. 

Celine Van Loe then doubled the advantage in the 35th, with a thumping header off a corner kick to complete the day’s scoring for the visitors.

Curacao vs Cayman Islands

Curacao defeated Cayman Islands 6-1 at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao.

Curacao topped Group D with a perfect four wins in as many games, while Cayman Islands finished in third with a point. 

The host raced out to an early 2-0 lead on the strength of goals from Jeleaugh Rosa in the fifth minute, and Kadisha Martina in the 19th.

 But Cayman Islands responded in the 26th, courtesy of a Chelsea Brown free kick. 

Cayman Islands almost pulled level in the 55th, as Molly Kehoe went on a stunning solo run, but Curacao goalkeeper Julainy Fanijten Thielman came up with a massive save.

Instead, it was Curacao that pushed further ahead, with Taisha Hansen finishing a 66th-minute right-footed effort.

Curaçao then added goals in the 81st, 86th and 90th from Martina, Sadeyah Rosa and Emily Pulido, who completed the rout.

Thierry Anthony bagged a brace which assisted Bonaire to a 3-0 victory over Anguilla in their Concacaf Nations League Group A, League C encounter at the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in The Valley, Anguilla on Saturday.

With the win, Bonaire moved to six points from three games, still three points behind leaders St Martin. The two will meet in the group finale on Tuesday, with Bonaire needing to win by a wide margin if they are to take top spot and promotion to League B.

Bonaire could not have asked for a better start, as they took the lead in a mere three minutes, as Anthony deflected a cross in from the right wing.

Anthony doubled Bonaire's lead three minutes later when he converted a penalty, after Jonathan Libania was taken down in the area.

Anguilla's defence did a nice job to deny Bonaire any further goals at that point, as they created several good chances.

At the other end, Anguilla also found some rhythm, but nothing that got past Bonaire's goalkeeper Denyor Cicilia.

Anthony was denied a hat-trick in the 64th when he was played in but was denied on the reaction save from Anguilla's custodian Jelanie Lawrence.

Anthony instead assumed the role of playmaker and crafted the third Bonaire goal by whipping in a cross from the right flank that was stabbed home by Freadyen Michiel in the 73rd to cap the win.

Curacao, Aruba and Belize, all came up trumps in their respective League C Concacaf Women's Gold Cup qualifying fixtures on Monday.

Curacao vs. Anguilla

Curacao assumed pole position in Group D after they downed Anguilla 5-2 at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad.

With the win, Curacao moved up to maximum six points from two games, while Anguilla are on four points from three matches.

Curacao enjoyed a great start with three goals inside the first 20 minutes. Kadisha Martina got the show going in the fifth minute with an easy finish.

The lead was doubled in the 12th as Taisha Hansen converted a penalty. Four minutes later, Hansen found the slashing Sadeyah Rosa, who hammered into net from a yard out.

Anguilla pulled a goal back in the 30th as Adriana Connor punched in a shot from inside the area.

But back came Curacao in the second half. Lauryn Richardson made it 4-1 on the hour-mark with a calm penalty conversion.

Two minutes later in the 62nd, Hansen scored her second of the night when her shot trickled in past Anguilla goalkeeper Esther Ward.

Anguilla would get one last goal in the 89th through Camile Gumbs, whose corner kick ended up rolling off the fingertips of Curacao's Julainy Fanijten and into goal.

Aruba vs. Bonaire

Aruba avenged their 3-1 defeat to Bonaire in Group A from last Thursday, with a 5-0 victory at home at the Complejo Deportivo Guillermo Prospero Trinidad in Oranjestad.

Aisse Gumbs opened the scoring in the 30th when she finished off a pass from Bonny Lammers.

Tarianna Doornkamp then doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time with a strong right-footed finish.

Vanessa Susanna stretched the advantage in the 63rd, thanks in part to a nice pass from Lammers, who then scored a goal of her own in the 86th to make it 4-0 when she ran onto a long ball from Aruba goalkeeper Hadassah Kock.

Susanna then capped the 5-0 festivities in the 90+4 when she turned in a rebound off a Lammers shot.

Belize vs. Turks and Caicos Islands

Belize consolidated their lead atop Group A with their fourth win in as many games, as they after blanked Turks and Caicos Islands 3-0 at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan.

The host broke the deadlock in the 44th and did so in style. A free kick from Mikhaila Bowden was played on the ground to Kaite Jones, who then flipped the ball to herself and hit an overhead kick into net for a 1-0 Belize lead.

Momentum was on Belize’s side, and they doubled the cushion in the 48th on a Right-footed finish from Khalydia Velasquez.

Jones then completed her brace of the night in the 52nd with a header off a corner kick.

As if things weren't already bad enough for Turks and Caicos Islands, Pekiera Brooks was given marching orders in the 56th when she picked up a second yellow card of the night.

However, Belize was unable to make the numerical advantage count to add to their tally.

League C of the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League returned on Thursday with important encounters in Group A and Group C.

Bonaire vs. Anguilla

Bonaire earned their first win of this CNL campaign in Group A with a 2-0 triumph over Anguilla at the Stadion Antonio Trenidat in Rincon, Bonaire.

Bonaire are now back in the race for group honours with three points through two games, three points behind leaders St Martin. Anguilla are in third place with zero points.

Bonaire carved out their first goal of the night through Ginel Ronde in the 10th, as he polished off a counterattack spearheaded by Jonathan Libania for a 1-0 Bonaire advantage.

The lead was then doubled in the 36th, as Marschelon Pourier knocked in a shot from just a few yards out after Anguilla were unable to clear their lines.

With the two-goal cushion, Bonaire could play to their liking and confidently saw things out to pocket the victory.

Dominica vs. British Virgin Islands

The top two teams in Group C met and showed that there is little difference between them after a 1-1 draw between Dominica and British Virgin Islands at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, St Lucia.

Each side now has four points after two games, with Dominica ahead on goal difference.

Luka Chalwell scored two goals in the September window and picked up where he left off by scoring the opening goal for British Virgin Islands in the 29th.

A long ball was hoofed upfield and Chalwell controlled it superbly, taking a touch and then firing a right-footed shot into net.

Dominica went to work on finding an equalizer and their efforts were finally rewarded in the latter stages, as Briel Thomas struck in the 82th to make it 1-1.

A free kick from the right flank was curled into the area by Troy Jules and Thomas met it with a soaring header to deliver the precious point to his side.

Aruba and St Martin assumed pole position in their respective groups following victories over Cayman Islands and Bonaire respectively, in League C the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League on Monday.

Cayman Islands vs. Aruba

The first match-up of the day saw Aruba come away with a late 2-1 win over the Cayman Islands in Group B at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Cayman Islands.

With the win, Aruba moved to the top the group with three points after one match, while Cayman Islands are third with one point.

Fans could not have asked for a more exciting start with two goals inside the first six minutes of play.

Striking first was Aruba inside the first 90 seconds, as a ball played in from the left wing met the stabbing foot of Rovien Ostiana for a 1-0 lead to the visitors.

The hosts answered right back in the sixth minute, as Christhofer Nunez got loose on the left edge of the area and from the slimmest of angles, fired in a shot that deflected off the leg of Aruba GK Matthew Lentink and into goal to make it 1-1.

Some heroic defending from the Cayman Islands in the 58th with a ball cleared off the goal-line kept the draw intact, but Aruba would land the decisive goal 21 minutes later in the 79th through Darryl Baly, who got low to steer home a header off a corner kick for the 2-1 Aruba victory.

Saint Martin vs. Bonaire

The second game of the day in League C was decided on some late fireworks, with Saint Martin rallying to edge Bonaire 2-1 in Group A action at the SKNFA Technical Centre in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.

With the result, Saint Martin now sit firmly atop the group with six points through two matches, while Bonaire are still with no points after one match.

An even first half in which neither side were able to break through gave way to a more open second stanza, but the first goal would not arrive until the 67th.

The man to do it was Sheehander Martinus, who was at the right place at the right time, turning in a rebound after back-to-back shots off a free kick for a 1-0 Bonaire lead.

Saint Martin quickly got back on level terms though, thanks to Axel Raga, who scored his fifth goal of this CNL in the 75th.

Keelan Lebon’s shot from distance took a deflection off a Bonaire defender and fell right to Raga at the far post, making for an easy stroke into net for Raga.

The momentum was now with Saint Martin, and they made the most of it, getting the winning goal in the 87th, after an own goal from Bonaire’s Jurven Koffy when a cross deflected off his leg and into net.