Published 23 March 2023
Bassetrre
Buckie Got It News Source
MIAMI.- League C of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League resumes on Thursday, highlighted by a massive tilt between promotion hopefuls Saint Martin and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Saint Martin vs Saint Kitts and Nevis
Concacaf Nations League C Group B action returns to the Raymond E. Guishard Stadium in Anguilla, where Saint Martin will play host to Saint Kitts and Nevis on Thursday afternoon.
With only two total matches left to play, the group remains wide open and all three teams, including Aruba, are still in the mix for a promotion to League B and a place in the 2023 Gold Cup Prelims.
Saint Kitts and Nevis wrestled control of the group in dramatic fashion during their last outing against Saint Martin, with Kalonji Clarke’s 92nd minute equalizer putting them into a tie for first place alongside Aruba with a game in hand.
And perhaps just as crucially, Clarke’s goal took two points away from Saint Martin, who would have been in excellent position had they held onto the lead. Now, in the reverse fixture, Saint Martin have another opportunity. A win will still catapult them up to first place for the moment, and with a big enough margin of victory they could re-enter the promotion picture.
While Saint Kitts have seen four goals scored by four different scorers so far, Saint Martin has struggled to get it going offensively, with Pierre-Bertrand Arne’s chip against the Sugar Boyz last time out being their only goal in their first three matches. Forwards Yannick Bellechasseand Danilo Cocks will both be looking to get back on the scoresheet after having very strong performances for Saint Martin during the previous Nations League cycle.
For the Sugar Boyz, a win or draw would be enough to surge into first place heading into the final match against Aruba later this week in Basseterre.
British Virgin Islands vs Puerto Rico
Concacaf Nations League C Group D with a clash between the British Virgin Islands and the visiting Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico have already secured promotion and booked their ticket to the Gold Cup Prelims later this summer, and will be looking to continue their momentum through the March window and on to those pivotal matches in June.
Ricardo Rivera has led the way for El Huracan Azulthus far with four goals, including a hat trick last time out against the British Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico won that clash 6-0 last June to seize control of the group.
The British Virgin Islands will be motivated by both the opportunity for revenge as well as a chance to pass the Cayman Islands, who currently sit in second place in the group.
And one can expect a lineup that is hungry to prove themselves on the international stage. Coach Chris Kiwomya indicated in a recent interview that several younger prospects could make their national team debut against Puerto Rico, citing positive performances in domestic competition as reason for their potential inclusion.
This will be the final match of the competition for the hosts, while Puerto Rico will conclude their campaign on Sunday at home against the Cayman Islands.
This week in #CNL League C 🗓️
