Nations League: St Lucia, Puerto Rico promoted to League B
GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):
St Lucia comfortably defeated Anguilla 2-0 before a home crowd at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground on Sunday night, securing promotion back up to Concacaf Nations League B and a place in the 2023 Gold Cup preliminaries.
The first half of the game, which was played in League C, did not prove to be so easy for the hosts. Anguilla did what they have proven to do throughout this competition – defend well. They were well-organised and their no-nonsense approach was able to keep them in the game.
But the breakthrough came right before half-time. In the 44th minute, a very high cross came towards the Anguillan goal and goalkeeper Danniell Bailey was unable to punch it away.
Andrus Remy quickly received the failed clearance and coolly finished to put St Lucia ahead 1-0 and kick off the party in the crowd.
The hopes for an Anguillan comeback were crushed in the 60th minute when St Lucia captain Kurt Frederick lined up over the ball on a free kick from the corner of the 18-yard box and curled one around Bailey to double the lead.
From there, St Lucia held firm to secure the victory and all the rewards that come with it.
Puerto Rico were also promoted and clinched a 2023 Gold Cup preliminary spot with a 6-0 victory at home over the British Virgin Islands.
The hosts got off to a roaring start at the Estadio Centroamericano de Mayaguez, taking the lead after 12 minutes, courtesy of a neatly placed right-footed shot into the corner from Darren Rios. Ricardo Rivera’s low cross earned him the assist.
Jaden Servania was brought down in the box in the 14th minute, and Rivera would join in on the scoring himself, converting the penalty to put Puerto Rico ahead 2-0. Rivera scored another goal in the first half and twice in the second to complete a four-timer. Gerald Dias also scored for Puerto Rico.