We’re back in North America to wrap up the first stage of qualifying here. The lowest-ranked 24 nations are battling to be the six who can join the big boys in the second round. This is the draw, and which teams have already qualified:
So today, we’ll be seeing how Groups D, E and F go.
Group D (Nicaragua, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos Islands, Sint Maarten)
Nicaragua have to be seen as strong favourites for this group, as a much bigger nation than their opponents, who only narrowly missed out on being seeded for the next round. So it’s not a big surprise when they start well against Turks & Caicos Islands with a 4-0 win – Herberth Cabrera had a hat-trick within 16 minutes, and Marlon Medina scored a firecracker. It was much more even as St. Vincent & the Grenadines hosted Sint Maarten, as a 89th-minute penalty from the hosts was decisive as they triumphed 2-1.
Sint Maarten this time were the recipients of a penalty decision, which put them 1-0 up against Nicaragua. However, they couldn’t hold out, and a 2-1 win was a fair reward for Nicaragua’s dominance. Turks & Caicos started thrillingly against St. Vincent, going 3-0 up within 8 minutes. St. Vincent fought back to 3-2, but Turks & Caicos pushed on again, eventually winning 5-3. However, in their next game against Sint Maarten, Turks & Caicos lost out in another exciting match, 3-2 the score. This ensured that the three smaller teams in the group had a win, and St. Vincent’s valiant 1-1 draw with Nicaragua ensured the group leaders remained catchable as we reached the halfway stage of the group.
That point placed St. Vincent as Nicaragua’s nearest challengers as they travelled to Sint Maarten. At 2-2, Sint Maarten had an 80th-minute penalty to get revenge on their opponents. However, Brandon Potmis’ shot rattled the crossbar, and three minutes later, incredibly, St. Vincent had their own penalty which Oalex Anderson dispatched to seal a 3-2 win. However, this didn’t close the gap to Nicaragua, as they triumphed 2-0 away to Turks & Caicos. This result eliminated their opponents, as well as Sint Maarten.
Group D (Nicaragua, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos Islands, Sint Maarten)
Nicaragua have to be seen as strong favourites for this group, as a much bigger nation than their opponents, who only narrowly missed out on being seeded for the next round. So it’s not a big surprise when they start well against Turks & Caicos Islands with a 4-0 win – Herberth Cabrera had a hat-trick within 16 minutes, and Marlon Medina scored a firecracker. It was much more even as St. Vincent & the Grenadines hosted Sint Maarten, as a 89th-minute penalty from the hosts was decisive as they triumphed 2-1.
Sint Maarten this time were the recipients of a penalty decision, which put them 1-0 up against Nicaragua. However, they couldn’t hold out, and a 2-1 win was a fair reward for Nicaragua’s dominance. Turks & Caicos started thrillingly against St. Vincent, going 3-0 up within 8 minutes. St. Vincent fought back to 3-2, but Turks & Caicos pushed on again, eventually winning 5-3. However, in their next game against Sint Maarten, Turks & Caicos lost out in another exciting match, 3-2 the score. This ensured that the three smaller teams in the group had a win, and St. Vincent’s valiant 1-1 draw with Nicaragua ensured the group leaders remained catchable as we reached the halfway stage of the group.
That point placed St. Vincent as Nicaragua’s nearest challengers as they travelled to Sint Maarten. At 2-2, Sint Maarten had an 80th-minute penalty to get revenge on their opponents. However, Brandon Potmis’ shot rattled the crossbar, and three minutes later, incredibly, St. Vincent had their own penalty which Oalex Anderson dispatched to seal a 3-2 win. However, this didn’t close the gap to Nicaragua, as they triumphed 2-0 away to Turks & Caicos. This result eliminated their opponents, as well as Sint Maarten.
Nicaragua faced Sint Maarten knowing they would qualify if they beter St. Vincent’s result, but they struggled against Sint Maarten’s defensive 4-5-1. However, Eder Munive’s header from a corner was accommodatingly allowed in by Sint Maarten’s goalkeeper Sylvestre, and that proved to be the only goal. This put the pressure back on St. Vincent, who responded spectacularly with a 6-1 thrashing of Turks & Caicos, Anderson delivering a hat-trick.
This meant that St. Vincent had the chance to shock Nicaragua and win the group with a win when the two sides met in Managua. The omens for such an upset weren’t good when Cabrera tucked away a neat finish in the 6th minute, and at half time with the score 4-0 St. Vincent’s hopes had evaporated. Cabrera went on bag four goals as Nicaragua sealed their qualification in style with an 8-0 win. In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon Turks & Caicos were the victors, beating Sint Maarten 2-0.
This meant that St. Vincent had the chance to shock Nicaragua and win the group with a win when the two sides met in Managua. The omens for such an upset weren’t good when Cabrera tucked away a neat finish in the 6th minute, and at half time with the score 4-0 St. Vincent’s hopes had evaporated. Cabrera went on bag four goals as Nicaragua sealed their qualification in style with an 8-0 win. In the battle to avoid the wooden spoon Turks & Caicos were the victors, beating Sint Maarten 2-0.
Final standings
Top scorer: Herberth Cabrera (NCA) 9 goals
Highest average rating: Samuel Wilson (NCA) 8.16
Group E (Guyana, Dominica, Bermuda, Bahamas)
This group is the only one across the whole of the DWC qualifying that has caused me technical problems, as the game refused to import the sides I’d created. Anyway, I’ve eventually got it to work, but it has made me slightly resent these four teams. Still, they can’t all get eliminated, so let’s see who makes it. Guyana, the top seeds, show why with a crushing 5-0 win away to Bahamas, with three of those coming in the opening 10 minutes. Dominica also started well with a 2-0 home win over Bermuda.
In the battle between the two winners, Guyana asserted themselves as the group’s alpha with a stylish 3-0 win. The highlight of the game was a good effort from range by Daniel Wilson. Meanwhile, Bermuda and Bahamas both scored in the first 10 minutes of their tense encounter. With the game in injury time Bermuda’s Simmons picked up a second yellow card, and from the resulting free kick Bahamas’ Donovan Williamson found some space to put away the winning goal.
Highest average rating: Samuel Wilson (NCA) 8.16
Group E (Guyana, Dominica, Bermuda, Bahamas)
This group is the only one across the whole of the DWC qualifying that has caused me technical problems, as the game refused to import the sides I’d created. Anyway, I’ve eventually got it to work, but it has made me slightly resent these four teams. Still, they can’t all get eliminated, so let’s see who makes it. Guyana, the top seeds, show why with a crushing 5-0 win away to Bahamas, with three of those coming in the opening 10 minutes. Dominica also started well with a 2-0 home win over Bermuda.
In the battle between the two winners, Guyana asserted themselves as the group’s alpha with a stylish 3-0 win. The highlight of the game was a good effort from range by Daniel Wilson. Meanwhile, Bermuda and Bahamas both scored in the first 10 minutes of their tense encounter. With the game in injury time Bermuda’s Simmons picked up a second yellow card, and from the resulting free kick Bahamas’ Donovan Williamson found some space to put away the winning goal.
Bahamas made the most of this break with a storming 5-1 win away to Dominica, even missing a penalty to boot, whilst there we no surprises as Guyana recorded a routine 3-0 win away to the hapless Bermuda, all the goals coming from the boot of Jevon Francis. Bermuda were at the receiving end of another hat-trick against Dominica as they lost 4-1 next. Unusually, all three of Chad Bertrand’s goals were penalties. Bahamas’ hopes of catching Guyana were ruined by – once again – falling 3-0 behind in the opening 10 minutes when the sides met, although this time they showed improvement by only losing 5-1. This result meant that Bermuda were eliminated to no great surprise.
This put Guyana a point away from qualification, but surprisingly this didn’t happen in their next game, as Dominica spoiled the party with a 3-1 victory, slightly against the run of play. Elsewhere, Bermuda finally got off the mark with a 3-2 win over Bahamas, which eliminated their opponents. Guyana still had to just get a point from Bermuda to secure qualification, and they did so with no fuss, five different scorers giving them a 5-2 victory. Even had they lost, Dominica would have been unable to capitalise as they drew 1-1 away to Bahamas, thanks to a last-minute penalty from Dean Jacobs.
This put Guyana a point away from qualification, but surprisingly this didn’t happen in their next game, as Dominica spoiled the party with a 3-1 victory, slightly against the run of play. Elsewhere, Bermuda finally got off the mark with a 3-2 win over Bahamas, which eliminated their opponents. Guyana still had to just get a point from Bermuda to secure qualification, and they did so with no fuss, five different scorers giving them a 5-2 victory. Even had they lost, Dominica would have been unable to capitalise as they drew 1-1 away to Bahamas, thanks to a last-minute penalty from Dean Jacobs.
Final standings
Top scorer: Jevon Francis (GUY) 7 goals
Highest average rating: Ramires (GUY) 8.23
Group F (Belize, Barbados, Anguilla, Martinique)
Caribbean islands haven’t done very well so far in this round, so Belize would be confident of proving why they are top seeds in this group. They start as they mean to go on, with a 3-0 stroll past Anguilla. Martinique belied their ranking as they outplayed Barbados. However, luck wasn’t with them as a world-class strike from Romiel Felix fired Barbados to a smash-and-grab 2-1 win.
Highest average rating: Ramires (GUY) 8.23
Group F (Belize, Barbados, Anguilla, Martinique)
Caribbean islands haven’t done very well so far in this round, so Belize would be confident of proving why they are top seeds in this group. They start as they mean to go on, with a 3-0 stroll past Anguilla. Martinique belied their ranking as they outplayed Barbados. However, luck wasn’t with them as a world-class strike from Romiel Felix fired Barbados to a smash-and-grab 2-1 win.
Barbados played better against Belize, but looked set for a defeat at 1-0 down in injury time. However, Jeffrey Williams nodded in a dramatic header to share the points. It was all-square in Anguilla as well, as the hosts also scored late on to earn a 2-2 draw with Martinique, who once again failed to win after a match of domination. The last thing Martinique needed was a lack of luck when they faced group favourites Belize, as once again they created the majority of chances. However, this time the gods were more favourable, and an early brace from Kevin Parsemain set them on the way to a nervy 3-2 win. This gave Barbados the chance to top the group, and they did so in style as Shandel Samuel’s hat-trick gave them a 4-0 triumph in Anguilla.
Barbados faced a stern test as they hosted Martinique, and they responded by racing 3-1 up in the opening 21 minutes. Martinique fought back to 3-3, but soon after lost Gael Germany to a second yellow. Despite this, Martinique continued to be the better side, so it was all the more cruel when Romano Snagg fired in a thunderbolt in the last minute to win it for Barbados. Belize just managed to keep up the pressure on Barbados as they won 1-0 away to Anguilla, thanks to a Sergio Quinonez penalty.
Barbados faced a stern test as they hosted Martinique, and they responded by racing 3-1 up in the opening 21 minutes. Martinique fought back to 3-3, but soon after lost Gael Germany to a second yellow. Despite this, Martinique continued to be the better side, so it was all the more cruel when Romano Snagg fired in a thunderbolt in the last minute to win it for Barbados. Belize just managed to keep up the pressure on Barbados as they won 1-0 away to Anguilla, thanks to a Sergio Quinonez penalty.
Martinique were finally able to cut loose, as they had been threatening, when they beat Anguilla 4-1. All eyes, however, were on Belmopan, where visitors Barbados could secure qualification a match early with a win. Belize were much the better side, with 58% possession and the majority of shots. But Barbados have continually upset the odds, and the only goal of the game came when Belize’s Elroy Smith deflected Ranaldo Bailey’s wayward shot into his own goal. This meant the final matches were unimportant, although they were still exciting. Belize’s miserable campaign ended suitably badly as they lost 3-0 in Martinique. Barbados weren’t quite able to celebrate qualification with a flourish, as they drew 2-2 at home to Anguilla as both sides ended with 10 men.
Final standings
Final standings
Top scorer: Johan Audel (MTQ) 6 goals
Highest average rating: Johan Audel (MTQ) 8.22
North American Round 1 Summary
Highest average rating: Johan Audel (MTQ) 8.22
North American Round 1 Summary
Next time
That’s North American qualifiers done, and those sides that have qualified should be excited to be up against the bigger teams next as the likes of DWC 2017 final-16 sides USA and Mexico get involved. Next time we wrap up the opening round of African qualifying, so stay tuned!
That’s North American qualifiers done, and those sides that have qualified should be excited to be up against the bigger teams next as the likes of DWC 2017 final-16 sides USA and Mexico get involved. Next time we wrap up the opening round of African qualifying, so stay tuned!