Dominican Republic maintained their positive start to the Concacaf Nations League campaign, while Bermuda is now on the board as both registered victories in the League B, Group D double-header at the ABFA Technical Center in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday.

The Dominican Republic defeated Dominica 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash, and Bermuda clipped hosts Antigua and Barbuda 1-0 to end the September window on a positive note.

With the win, Dominican Republic moved up to six points, three ahead of Bermuda and Dominica, while Antigua and Barbuda will head into the next window without a point.

Dominican Republic vs. Dominica

Having won their opening encounters, this contest was expected to be a closely contested affair, but it was the Dominican Republic who proved the better team on the day.

Ronaldo Vasquez broke the deadlock with a cheeky finish in the 11th minute.

Dorny Romero doubled the lead with 25th-minute strike that secured the points for Dominican Republic to boost their promotion hopes.

Antigua and Barbuda vs. Bermuda

Bermuda’s 1-0 scoreline marked their first victory Antigua and Barbuda in an official match for the first time since 1992.

Kane Crichlow found the all-important goal in the 56th minute as he dazzled defenders with nippy footwork on his way to slotting home.

Antigua and Barbuda battled hard and should have had the equaliser in the 87th, but Keon Greene hit a volleyed effort just wide of the target from deep inside the 18-yard box.

Meanwhile, Belize, Barbados, and St Kitts and Nevis remained atop their respective League groups in League C.

Belize edged Anguilla 1-0 courtesy of Jordy Polanco’s 26th-minute strike to sit comfortably atop Group B on six points. Anguilla (three) and Turks and Caicos Islands (zero) follow.

Barbados, through goals from Carl Hinkson (15th), Niall Reid-Stephen (86th) and Khalil Vanderpool-Nurse (90+3), topped US Virgin Islands 3-0 in Group A. Barbados now have six points, five ahead of Bahamas and US Virgin Islands with a point each.

Meanwhile, Tiquanny Williams with a brace in the 11th and 64th minutes, propelled St Kitts and Nevis to a 2-0 win over British Virgin Islands in Group C.

The win saw St Kitts and Nevis (six points) move three ahead of Cayman Islands (three points), as British Virgin Islands remain pointless.

 

Suriname side Robinhood will be looking to seal their spot in the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club semifinals when they take on Atletico Pantoja of the Dominican Republic in what is expected to be an intriguing Groub B showdown at the Dr. Ir. Franklin Essed Stadion in Paramaribo, o Thursday.

Robinhood currently sit in second position on six points, just one point behind leaders Harbour View of Jamaica, while Atletico Pantoja remain alive in the hunt for a semifinal berth, in fourth place on three points.

Robinhood can guarantee their semifinal place with a draw and could even capture group honours with a win, provided Harbour View drop points in their fixture against Cibao FC, also of the Dominican Republic.

However, an Atletico Pantoja win by a two-goal margin, would be enough to send them through to the Caribbean Cup semifinals ahead of Robinhood.

Needless to say, the night should provide plenty of great drama with so much at stake.

Robinhood have been buoyed by striker Shaquille Cairo, who has four goals in the tournament, making him the joint top-scorer along with Shaniel Thomas of Cavalier.

Cairo has been as consistent as they come, scoring in all three of Robinhood’s games and has gotten help from Tuur Don, who has two assists. Jamilhio Rigters also has contributed after scoring in their last outing, a 3-2 loss to Harbour View.

Atletico Pantoja have played to three straight 1-1 draws in the group, so they will need to break that streak with a full three points if they are to advance.

Jhon Mosquera has played a vital role as playmaker with two assists, while Ronaldo Vasquez has been one of the most active players in attack with 10 shots and 84 completed passes, along with two ball recoveries.

Nicaragua continued their decent start in Group B of League B in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League, with a convincing victory in its home opener, while Dominican Republic were also victorious at home on Monday.

Dominican Republic vs. Montserrat 

Dominican Republic defeated Montserrat 3-0 at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The hosts took the lead in the third minute after midfielder Jean Lopez forced an own goal from defender Abraham Dorsett.

Edarlyn Reyes nearly scored a wondergoal for the home side but was denied by the top post in the fifth in an attempt from just outside the penalty arc. Immediately after, Montserrat goalkeeper Kynami Nelson made a pivotal save to deny Ronaldo Vasquez on the rebound.

Dominican Republic's goalkeeper Xavier Valdez and defender Michael Sambataro were then crucial to halt a potential equalizer in the 19th by impeding forward Lyle Taylor. 

Dorny Romero doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 25th, thanks to a long through pass from Edison Azcona.

Romero nearly collected his second in the 44th minute but couldn’t connect properly on a long cross from Michael Sambataro as Montserrat were spared prior to halftime.

The Dominican Republic began to pull away in the second half as Romero completed his brace on a breakaway in the 64th following a long assist form Jeremy Baez.

The win lifts the Dominican Republic to second in the group and improves the nation’s record to 1-0-1 in the campaign. Montserrat, also with a 1-0-1 record, slipped to third in the group.

Nicaragua vs. Barbados

Nicaragua won 5-1 against Barbados on a rainy night at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.

Ariagner Smith opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with a header at the near post on a corner kick.

Juan Luis Perez sent fans into a roar with a hit from long range in the 40th to extend the lead for the hosts.

A penalty was awarded to Nicaragua right before the half, as Juan Barrera was taken down inside the box. Jaime Moreno converted the spot kick for the three-goal lead.

Jacob Montes continued the offensive production with the fourth goal of the night in the 69th after Smith was blocked on the attempt, but the ball fell to Montes who drove it into the area for a diagonal strike.

Moreno completed his brace in the 75th on a second chance opportunity inside the box. Brathwaite pushed away a whipped in ball from Josue Quijano, but Moreno was there to clean up the play.

Nicaraguan goalkeeper Miguel Rodriguez was sent off in the 85th for a takedown just outside the box. Down to 10 men, and out of substitutions, it was Moreno who donned the goalkeeper jersey for the final stretch.

Thierry Gale of Barbados converted from the ensuing free kick upon the restart in the 89th, as Moreno nearly got a hand for the save.

Nicaragua retains first place in the group and improves to a 2-0-0 mark. Barbados occupies the last spot in the group and will look to improve from a 0-2-0 start during the October FIFA fixtures.

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