Jamaica, Honduras flex scoring muscles in CMU17 openers

Group G and Group H of the 2023 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala got started on Sunday with Jamaica and Honduras flexing their scoring muscles, while El Salvador and Costa Rica also picked up wins, reports CONCACAF.

It said on Tuesday that the day in Group G at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City started with an all-Caribbean affair as Jamaica downed Cuba 4-2.

The Reggae Boyz held a 4-0 lead in the second half thanks to a goal from Jahmani Bell (22’), followed by scores from Orane Watson (56’) and Ashton Gordon (70’) and then a second goal from Watson in the 75’, CONCACAF said.

“Cuba would not throw in the towel, though, and they pulled a pair of goals back in the 78’ and 89’ through Didier Reinoso,” it said. “However, Jamaica would nail down the three points to open the tournament.”

Costa Rica 2 Guadeloupe 1

The nightcap in Group G saw Costa Rica edge Guadeloupe 2-1.

CONCACAF said “The Ticos jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first half courtesy of Sean Albriton (5’) and Andry Naranjo (14’), but Les Gwada Boys made things interesting with a Yanis Bienville (53’) to cut the gap to 2-1.

“In the end, though, the Costa Rican defense got the job done to earn the win,” CONCACAF said.

El Salvador 3 Haiti 1

CONCACAF said the Estadio Pensativo in Antigua was the site for the games in Group H where El Salvador overcame an early deficit to down Haiti 3-1.

Kaief Tomlison gave Haiti an early 1-0 lead in the 12’, but El Salvador stormed back thanks to a Christopher Argueta brace (39’, 63’) before Elder Figueroa tacked on a late insurance goal in the 86’, CONCACAF said.

Honduras 6 Suriname 1

“Honduras enjoyed a prolific opening day to the tournament with a 6-1 triumph over Suriname,” CONCACAF said.

Nixon Cruz (6’), Nayrobi Vargas (40’) and Bryan Saenz (51’) tallied the first three goals, before an Edwin Munguia brace (76’, 88’) and a Roberto Osorto score in the 85’ completed the scoring for the Catrachos.

Jemairo Goodett’s goal in the 43’ served as the Suriname score of the evening, CACACAF said.

All eight teams in action on Sunday will return to the field on Tuesday, with Group G once again at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores and Caribbean sides Jamaica and Guadeloupe doing battle.

CONCACAF said Jamaica is coming fresh off a four-goal performance against Cuba and will aim to make it four wins in four games against Les Gwada Boys in the CMU17.

The nightcap will feature Cuba up against Costa Rica, with the Cubans seeking their first win and the Ticos after their second of the tournament, CONCACAF said.

It said the all-time series has largely belongs to Costa Rica, who have four wins versus one win for Cuba.

CONCACAF said Group H will be back at the Estadio Pensativo with two teams seeking their first result of the CMU17 as Haiti take on Suriname. In three all-time meetings in the CMU17, Haiti has three wins.

The day will wrap up with Honduras squaring off with Central American rivals El Salvador in a battle of opening day winners, CONCACAF said.

It said Honduras own a slim 3W-0D-2L advantage over El Salvador in CMU17 play.