Concacaf.com
BRADENTON, Florida, Mon. Nov. 5, 2018– Belize registered its first ever 2018 Concacaf Under-20 Championship victory with a 4-2 triumph over Sint Maarten to open Matchday Three of Group C on Monday.
Carlos Gonzalez (3’, 45’) led the way with a first-half brace, with Andir Chi (38’) also chipping in with a goal in the first 45 minutes.
Dion Cacho (49’) stretched the Belize lead to four before Sint Maarten mounted a furious late charge that came up just short with goals from Leonidas Zion (78’) and Jaeremi Drijvers (84’).
The Dominican Republic enjoyed a history-making afternoon of its own with its first ever CU20 victory in a 3-0 final against previously unbeaten Antigua and Barbuda.
Gerard Lavergne’s brace (45’, 55’) and a Brian Lopez goal (86’) accounted for the Dominicans’ scoring.
Honduras kept its unblemished record intact by handing Cuba its first loss in a 3-1 win for the Catrachos.
It looked like goals from Rolando Oviendo (28’) for Cuba and Cristian Calix (31’) for Honduras would result in a draw, but Honduras struck late twice through Carlos Mejia (84’) and Luis Palma (90+3’) to collect the three points.
(Amandala Sports Ed. Note: In Belize’s first game on Thursday, November 1, Jonard Castillo scored our only goal, as Cuba crushed Belize, 6-1. On Saturday, November 3, we lost, 1-nil, to Antigua & Barbuda. After the Group Phase, only the 6 group winners go on to the Qualification Stage. Presently, USA leads in Group A, Mexico and Jamaica are tied at the top of Group B, Panama and Canada are tied to lead Group D, Costa Rica leads Group E, and Guatemala and El Salvador are tied in the lead for Group F.
As the standings below show, Belize is not a threat to win Group C; but our 4-2 victory over Sint Maarten today should give our boys a lift going into the game against undefeated Honduras on Wednesday, November 7. On Friday, November 9, we play our last game against Dominican Republic. Le’s go, Belize!!)
