Twelve nations from North America, Central America and the Caribbean region are currently taking part in the CONCACAF U20 which is held in Costa Rica from 18 February to 5 March. During the Matchday 1, title holders Mexico earned a comfortable win while USA were defeated by 10-man Panama.
Group A : Mexico 3 pts, Honduras 3 pts, Canada 0 pt, Antigua-and-Barbuda 0 pt
Title holders Mexico have impressed as they earned a comfortable 3-0 win over Antigua-and-Barbuda. Ronaldo Cisneros, the Santos Laguna player, has netted a brace while Vashami Allen scored an unlucky own goal. In the other game, Honduras claimed a 1-0 win over Canada. Jorge Alvarez came off the bench to score the winning goal with 13 minutes remaining.
Group B : Haiti 3 pts, Panama 3 pts, United States 0 pt, Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis 0 pt
Despite playing 70 minutes with ten men following Justin Simmons's dismissal, Panama earned a crucial win against United States (1-0). The winning goal was scored in the first half by Leandro Avila who fired a wonderful strike into the top corner. United States had a big chance to level the score but the Jérémy Ebobisse’s header crashed off the crossbar! A few hours earlier, Haiti have outclassed Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis (5-1). Jimmy Sanon, Brian Chevreuil, Alessandro Campoy, Jonel Desire et Ronando Damus scored for Haiti while Javier Sutton reduced the deficit for Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis.
Group C : Salvador 3 pts, Bermuda 1 pt, Trinidad-and-Tobago 1 pt, Costa Rica 0 pt
Costa Rica, hosts of the tournament, failed to impress as they were defeated by Salvador (0-1). The only goal of the game was netted by Roberto Dominguez after 70 minutes. In the other game, Trinidad-and-Tobago were heled to a draw by Bermuda (1-1). Kathon St. Hillare scored the opener for Trinidad-and-Tobago but Oneko Lowe leveled the score as he netted the equalizer after 69 minutes.
REMINDER : the top four teams of the final tournament will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U20 World Cup
Amayes Brahmi - Follow @AmayesB
Credits Photo : CONCACAF