FT Dominca-Bahamas 1:1 Although the game was played in Bahamas, it counted as a Dominica home game, so the Bahamas goal is a road goal.
HT Cuba 1:0 Cayman Islands Lester More, who gets most of Cuba's goals, scored in the 5th minute. Starting lineups just posted for Surinam-Aruba; if the FIFA matchtracker is correct (and it isn't always), two of Surinam's best attackers, Loswijk and Sandvliet, are starting despite injuries.
Early goals by Kinsaini and Loswijk for make it 2:0 for Surinam. That should be it for Aruba, but Prendergast is the referee, so anything's possible.
I thought Cuba was supposed to be good. Why are they having so much trouble with the Caymans? Costa Rica looks like they'll have an easy time of it in June.
Cuba is pretty erratic. A week or so ago they played Panama in two friendlies, drawing 1-1 and winning 3-0. The Caymans are nothing special, but they're not that bad for the region. And it looks as if the matchtracker wasn't getting all the Cuba goals on time. They just now posted 2 more by More, and FT is listed as 3:0. Cuba wins aggregate 5:1, not that different from the 4:0 in the 2002 qualifiers.
Surinam routs Aruba 8:1, aggregate 10:2. Right now it looks as if Guatemala's suspension will stay lifted, so they'll play Surinam.
Dominica-Bahamas article: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/sports/303920575235156.php The Bahamas keeper is apparently a high school kid, plays for St. George's School in Rhode Island.
did this change recently? because I spent about a year and a half over there and they seemed to be playing mostly other central american teams... but it was not tournament time though... strange, I dont think T&T has played them, unless they did so in the last 3 years when ive been away...
Ummm......all of Central America is in CONCACAF, and always has. It is the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football.
Bahamas equalize, goalscorer "N. Jean." (aka Marilyn Monroe?) Soon after, a Bahamian gets a second yellow. It's 10 on 10.
Wow. Stunning finish in Bahamas. Bahamas 1-3 Dominica. Goals in 85th and 86th. Now they just need to beat Mexico.......
Belize is a mess. The semi-pro league moved out from under the umbrella of the national federation and the national fed refused to acknowledge the league as of July 30, 2002. Therefore they will not select any of those players for the national side. Which would be a problem if they had actually played an international after that ruling was passed down. The FA went so far as to threaten to petition FIFA if Communicationes of Guatemala came to play a friendly against the champion of the renegade league as part of a fundraiser as part of a local festival. Belize sent inferior club teams to the Concacaf champions cup (or whatever the official name is) and I think that the team they sent to Olympic qualifying is substantially weaker than it should have been. They're not a bad side, they did quite well in the 2001 UNCAF qualifiers. They lost 4-0 to a nearly full strength Costa Rica (they were missng Wanchope and not much else). They also tied Guatemala 3-3 and lead late and were down to 10 men by the end. Now the national sporting council has refused to recognize the FA in a confusing bit of squabbling and corruption. I can't figure out what's going on really, but it seems like the national council and the semi-pro league will get together to make sure there's a national team this summer, but Belize won't host either leg against Canada. If I read between the lines correctly on the issue, FIFA sent a request to the FA about the suitability of their stadia. Once the FA were ousted, no one knew about the request and FIFA came back to the sport council and asked about the stadia, the council had no idea what they were talking about and FIFA gave Canada both legs. Like I said it's a mess, but Belize has definitely always been a part of CONCACAF. cheers, hobbes
By the way, the FIFA matchtracker had the details wrong again. For Surinam-Aruba, they listed a hat trick by Siegfried Uralime. But both Surinamese online newspapers agree the hat trick was scored by Marlon Felter. FIFA also listed a goal by Carlos Loswijk, who didn't score either. At this rate, Jovan Kirovski might even get credit for one.
Interesting article on Antigua & Barbuda's tactics for the second leg against Netherlands Antilles. Among other things, they're replacing their starting keeper, although they don't say why. http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=201528066103302004&an=103804097203302004&ac=Sports
Radio for St. Kitts vs. USVI If anyone cares to listen to the USVI pull off the greatest upset in the history of CONCACAF, lol, here's a radio link, lol...http://www.zizonline.com/ then click on listen live on the left side menu
Thanks for posting that link. I'm listening right now. St Kitts is up 2-0 in the 39th minute. 23 out of the final 24 teams are known. Only the Dutch Antilles/Antigua match to go, later tonight, and then we'll know all 24. I don't think we've seen any real upsets so far. The first 10 matchups have reached very predictable outcomes. Maybe only Cuba's difficulties have raised a slight eyebrow. Now that I think about it, it seems like the team ranked higher in the Fifa rankings has won all 9 matchups so far.
Netherlands Antilles 3, A&B 0 - 51st minute. Looks like Neth. Antilles is going to come from behind at home and advance. Sorry, I've not found audio for this, just checking out fifa from time to time.
Netherlands Antilles, who up through the mid-60s were the strongest team in the Caribbean, advance for the first time in 16 years. Last victory in a WCQ knockout tie was in 1988, against the same opponent, Antigua & Barbuda (then known only as Antigua).
According to another article in the Antigua Sun, Simon was replaced because he has an exam at college (SC-Spartanburg) and couldn't be called in. http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=201528066103302004&an=445821097403312004&ac=Sports
The first round is complete. The big boys come out in the second round and many of the matchups are quite interesting. (* means first leg if known) Group A *The United States / Grenada *El Salvador / Bermuda Haiti / *Jamaica *Panama / St. Lucia Group B *Cuba / Costa Rica *Suriname / Guatemala Netherlands Antilles / Honduras *Canada / Belize (both legs in Canada) Group C *Mexico / Dominica Barbados / St. Kitts & Nevis *Dominican Republic / Trinidad & Tobago *Nicaragua / St. Vincent's & Grenadines The following is all IMHO...and subject to many revisions over the next two and a half months. Group A - The USA seems to be a lock vs. Grenada. However Grenada has a few quite high-level professionals and could make it much more competitive than one might think. The US plays at home first and therefore should open up a big lead and make the 2nd leg academic. I also think the US will increasingly find its form through a couple more friendlies and the MLS season. However, just imagine the levels of stress and panic (especially on these boards) during the week between legs should it remain close through the first leg (ie USA wins by just 1 or 2 goals). My guess, USA 5 Grenada 0, USA 4 Grenada 2. El Salvador vs. Bermuda seems like an easy matchup for El Salvador. Bermuda will find playing in San Salvador just bit more challenging than waxing Montserrat 20-0. Bermuda has a new coach, and their federation seems to be gaining some momentum and hope for the future. If I had to pick one major, shocking upset, this would be it. In all likelihood, El Salvador at home in the first leg will be too much for Bermuda. But since this really means nothing, my guess, El Sal 1 Bermuda 1, El Sal 1 Bermuda 2. Haiti vs. Jamaica has been a popular "upset" choice for a lot of people. I think this is fully justified. Haiti (just ask a US fan) is playing very inspired, very surprising soccer. They are taking an "us against the world" attitude into their matches and this makes them very dangerous. Jamaica will have to play hard and well if they expect to advance past Haiti. The 2nd leg will probably be at the Orange Bowl in Miami, and if there's still everything to play for, the atmosphere there should be quite awesome. My guess, Jamaica 2 Haiti 1, Haiti 1 Jamaica 0. Haiti advances with the away goal. Panama vs. St. Lucia, they are virtually tied in the world rankings, St. Lucia is #125 and Panama is #127, leading one to consider this a toss-up. In 2004, Panama is 0-1-2, drawing with El Salvador in January and playing two friendlies at Cuba, losing 3-0 and drawing 1-1. Since March 2003, St. Lucia has played only the Br. Virgin Islands and St. Vincent's, so Panama will seemingly be a step up in competition. My guess, Panama 2 St. Lucia 0, Panama 1 St. Lucia 1. Group B Cuba vs. Costa Rica, this was another popular "upset" pick amongst some when the original draw came out. However, unlike Haiti/Jamaica, this one would be a major upset. Unlike most pairings, the favorite does not have their home leg first, and this could be Cuba's one advantage. Playing in Havana first, Cuba must get a very good result (ie a win, and preferably by more than one goal). Playing in Saprissa is muy dificil for any CONCACAF team. Playing there in a "must win" situation is much worse, even for Mexico or the US, and Cuba would have even less of a chance. My guess, Cuba 1 Costa Rica 2, Cuba 1 Costa Rica 4. Suriname vs. Guatemala, Suriname pummelled Aruba in their home leg of the first round, 8-1. Guatemala has had the well-known problems concerning if they'd even be allowed to play in WC qualifying. For Suriname 4 of their last 6 international matches have been against Aruba, dating back to late 2002. Suriname also played a grand total of 0 matches (at least according to fifa) in 2003. My guess, Suriname 0 Guatemala 6, Suriname 0 Guatemala 6. Netherlands Antilles vs. Honduras, Honduras just barely missed qualifying for the 2002 WC finals. On the other hand, in their last 8 matches Honduras is winless (5 losses, 3 draws). Netherlands Antilles had to struggle and come back in the second leg to win their first round against Antigua & Barbuda 0-2, 3-0. On the other hand, in January, Neth. Antilles beat Aruba 6-1. Ok, I'm done making fun of Aruba. I've read in a couple places that the Netherlands Antilles might have some professionals from Holland be able to play for them. They better find some really good ones, lol. My guess (assuming Honduras is home first, and that Davids, Kluviert, and Van Der Sar don't show up), Netherlands Antilles 0 Honduras 5, Netherlands Antilles 1 Honduras 3. Canada vs. Belize, Canada will have both matches in Kingston, Ontario. This means Canada goes from a very solid favorite to a 99.9% favorite. Canada has a new coach, and quite a measure of optimism. Hopefully for Canada, these two matches will become glorified practice sessions before a very difficult semifinal group. Belize has not played an international match since March 2002. Belize has not played a non-friendly since their exit from WC2002 qualifying in May 2000. My guess, Canada 6 Belize 1, Canada 4 Belize 0. Group C Mexico vs. Dominica, Mexico could pull 11 guys off the streets of Guadalajara and advance past Dominica. I'm just hoping that the 6/12 match in Mexico City will be televised on Univision/Galavision so that I can watch it just for shits and giggles. Dominica, ranked #177, needed 2 goals in the last eight minutes of their second leg vs. Bahamas (#193) to move on. My guess, Mexico 10 Dominica 0, Mexico 7 Dominica 0. Barbados vs. St. Kitts & Nevis, rankings-wise, another possibly close pairing. (Barbados #113, SKN #130) Barbados is 5-2 since Dec. 26th however this includes 2 wins vs. Bermuda, 2 wins vs. Grenada, 1 win vs. Dominica, and a loss vs. Guyana (And a loss to Canada, just to round it out). Not that beating the US Virgin Islands is an impressive accomplishment, but I'm going out on a limb and going with St. Kitts. My guess (assuming Barbados is home first), Barbados 2 St. Kitts 1, Barbados 1 St. Kitts 3. Dominican Republic vs. Trinidad & Tobago, DR had both of their first round matches vs. Anguilla at home. T&T has played, and I'm guessing is scheduled to play, many friendlies leading up to qualifying. T&T is too experienced, too talented, and should be optimistic of their chances to reach the final hex given their presumed semifinal group. DR has the first match at home, and so might be able to keep it interesting, but I highly doubt even this. My guess, Dom. Rep. 1 T&T 3, Dom. Rep. 0 T&T 5. Nicaragua vs. St. Vincent's & Grenadines, The foolishness of CONCACAF saw these two nations get byes into the second round. Only the extreme foolishness of CONCACAF could guarantee that one of these two nations will get into the semifinal round. Nicaragua is ranked #175, St. V's is #163. Since Feb. 2003, these two teams have combined to play 4 matches. I called a psychic and this is what I was told... My guess, Nicaragua 0 St. Vincent's 0, Nicaragua 0 St. Vincent's 2. Sorry this is so long, I started having more fun with this than the NCAA tournament brackets. If you read all this, go get a beer, you deserve it.
So you like Carribean teams to advance. Don't underestimate Netherlands Antilles, they will play teh Honduras game with some players from the Dutch premier League. One of them Robin Nelissen is a topplayer for th Dutch Nr. 4 AZ. The players which will join for the Honduras game, weren't there at the Antigua game. Only some Dutch first division players like Martha, Jones, Siberie etc. So Honduras will maybe win but not that big. And I dont believe Kitts & Nevis will win from Barbados But always keep hope........