HUNT FOR COMEBACKS
CONCACAF said on Sunday that the League A quarterfinals of the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League conclude on Tuesday with both Jamaica and Mexico seeking comebacks, as Canada host the Reggae Boyz, while El Tricolor welcome in Honduras.
At stake is passage to the 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League Finals in March and qualification for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024, CONCACAF said.
Canada vs. Jamaica
The day starts off with Canada welcoming in Jamaica for their quarterfinal second leg at BMO Field in Toronto, CONCACAF said.
It said Canada picked up a 2-1 victory in the first leg last Saturday in Kingston, Jamaica, thanks to goals from Jonathan David and Stephen Eustaquio.
“With the one-goal advantage and two crucial away goals, Canada will look to see things out in front of their home fans,” CONCACAF said.
“Canada will certainly fancy their chances and can take confidence from their last home meeting with Jamaica, which ended in a 4-0 victory during CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022,” it added.
CONCACAF said Jamaica got their goal from Shamar Nicholson and had good performances from players such as Leon Bailey and Bobby Reid.
“However, more of a cutting edge will be required if the Caribbean side are (is) to at least get back on level terms in this series,” it said. “Jamaica do have some recent history against Canada, having won 2-1 in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals.”
Mexico vs. Honduras
CONCACAF said “a dramatic night is on the docket at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, as Mexico host Honduras in the second leg of their quarterfinal.”
After suffering a 4-0 defeat to Mexico in their opening match of the 2023 Gold Cup, it said Honduras “turned the tables and defeated El Tricolor 2-0 on Friday night in the first leg.”
CONCACF said Antony Lozano scored in the first half, while Bryan Rochez “tacked on an insurance score” in the second half.
Aiding the cause was Luis Palma, who contributed the assist on Lozano’s opener, CONCACAF said.
“For Mexico, it was a frustrating night made even more difficult by the injury to star GK Guillermo Ochoa,” it said. “Now back on home soil, Mexico will look to mount a comeback in order to reach the CNL Finals for a third straight time.”
CONCACAF said FWs Raul Jimenez, Hirving Lozano and Santiago Gimenez have “a penchant for getting on the scoresheet in home CONCACAF matches, and they will need to do just that to swing this series back into Mexico’s favor.”
