NEXT ROUND TICKETS
Panama, Canada, Mexico and the United States all punched tickets to the next round of the 2023 CONCACAF Men’s Under-17 Championship in Guatemala with victories on Monday in Group E and Group F, according to CONCACAF.
Panama 4 Curacao 0
CONCACAF said Panama qualified for the Round of 16 by picking up their second win in Group E in a 4-0 final over Curacao at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Guatemala City.
“After scoring the lone goal in their opening win versus Guatemala, Kevin Walder (8’, 33’) notched a brace and was joined on the scoresheet by Juan Hall (39’) and Erick Diaz (51’),” CONCACAF said.
Mexico 2 Guatemala 0
The nightcap in Group E saw Mexico overcome a tough Guatemala side, 2-0, to seal their place in the Round of 16, CONCACAF said.
It said Stephano Carrillo scored his third goal of the tournament in the 25’ for El Tricolor’s opener.
CONCACAF said “Guatemala tried to answer back, but Mexico held firm and then nailed down the three points thanks to a Fidel Barajas score in the 90+1’.”
Canada 2 Barbados 0
Group F was back in action at the Estadio Pensativo in Antigua, where Canada started the day with a 2-0 triumph over Barbados for their second win of the tournament and qualification for the Round of 16, according to CONCACAF.
It said Liam Mackenzie put the North Americans ahead in the 21’ “and was quickly followed in the 28’ by Alessandro Biello in the 28’ to give Canada a 2-0 lead that they held until the final whistle.”
USA 3 Trinidad and Tobago 1
In the second match in Antigua, CONCACAF said “a strong first half” powered the U.S. to a 3-1 win versus Trinidad and Tobago to secure a spot in the Round of 16 for the U.S.
Micah Burton (11’), Paulo Rudisill (14’) and Taha Habroune (24’) earned the U.S. a 3-0 halftime lead, but the Soca Warriors pulled a goal back in the 78’ through Derrel Garcia, CONCACAF said.
“In the end, though, the U.S. defense kept the Caribbean side at bay the rest of the way to collect the victory,” it said.
CONCACAF said the teams in Group E and Group F will be back in action on Wednesday in their group finales, with sides jockeying for either top spot in the group or a place in the next round.
Group E will once again be back at the Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores, where Mexico will face Panama with first place in the group on the line, CONCACAF said.
It said both teams are on six points, but Mexico own a superior goal difference of six goals, “so a draw would be enough for El Tricolor to claim top spot.”
CONCACAF said Mexico have won all six previous meetings in CMU17 play.
Host nation Guatemala takes on Curacao to try to secure a place in the next round, CONCACAF said.
It said Guatemala has the edge on goal difference, “so a draw or win would suffice for the Chapines.” The two teams split their previous two CMU17 meetings.
CONCACAF said the four teams in Group F will return to the Estadio Pensativo, beginning with Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.
The Soca Warriors are third in the table on goal difference, “so a draw would be enough to advance to the next phase of the tournament,” CONCACAF said.
It said Trinidad and Tobago also own a 3W-1D-0L record against Barbados all-time in CMU17 competition.
CONCACAF said the day will round out with the U.S. and Canada squaring off to see who takes the top spot in the group.
“With a +4 advantage on goal difference, the U.S. only need a draw to clinch first place, but Canada will be out to show that they are ready to make history and earn a first win against the U.S. in nine CMU17 contests,” it said.
