Final Window of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Starts This Thursday

The Confederation of North America, Central America & Caribbean Football (CONCACAF) is ready to finish off their final two matches in this November International Window. We will finally see three group winners attempt to punch their tickets to next summer’s World Cup, and two of the best three finishers to get a second chance during the Intercontinental Playoffs. Here is the final review for this month’s matches

GROUP A

Suriname

Currently tied for first place with Panama. Both have six points, but the tiebreaker is with this Dutch nation due to having a single goal scored more than the Canal Boys. After losing the lead in second-half stoppage time and finishing with a draw, this is the time for them to get the points they need to make their magical moment happen.

While they must pick up a win in both games, depending on what Panama does, it is significant for Suriname to be on the front foot. The time for mistakes must be either at a minuscule or none. If they want this moment to clinch, then it’s time for them to make their stance now.

They will host El Salvador and finish on the road at Guatemala.

Panama

The Canal Boys have been very disappointing. In September, they had two draws, and last month, in October, they were able to get a win on the road in El Salvador and nearly lost their home match to Suriname before Ismael Diaz was surprised by the ball that was crossed toward him. Hitting him in the chest, then rolling down his leg to enter the net for the late equalizer.

Thomas Christensen, who has managed this Central American side so well, finally saw some concern on his face, and they could either steal a best second-place position, or reach the top spot of the group if Suriname falters within their last two matches. But make no mistake, if they just missed either position, then Christensen could be in big trouble. 

They will be away in Guatemala and finish at home against El Salvador.

Guatemala

Currently in third place, Los Chapines, who looked like a world beater under manager Luis Tena, have all of a sudden not done well and slipped. After a surprising loss at home to El Salvador, A draw in Panama, another draw in Suriname, and then a big win at El Salvador, they have kept themselves within the party at five points.

But now their World Cup Qualifying lives are on the line. They must find a way to steal the remaining six points to shock the region and find a way to steal the top spot or one of the two best second-place finishes. Tena knows he has a lot of work to do, but now it’s his time to make the country make a run within this final month.

They will play both matches against Panama and Suriname at home.

El Salvador

This is a disappointment for El Salvador. The famed Estadio Cuscatlan, which has been a horror for visiting opponents in the past, has now lost that fear factor. All three of their home matches against Suriname, Panama & Guatemala have been by a one-goal defeat.

Even though they had that miracle win away at Guatemala, their next three matches weren’t up to par. They should’ve found a way to get any form of points to add on to that road win. Even if they do find a way to sneak in, it might not be enough for them, as El Salvador will now become road warriors for the rest of this International window. 

They will play both matches against Suriname and Panama away.

GROUP A FINAL ROUND OF WCQ SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH
SURINAME Vs. EL SALVADOR 5:00 PM EASTERN, FRANKLIN ESSED STADIUM
ENGLISH: CBS SPORTS NETWORK/PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: NBC UNIVERSO/PEACOCK

GUATEMALA Vs. PANAMA 9:00 PM EASTERN, ESTADIO MANUEL FELIPE CARRAENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: TELEMUNDO DEPORTES AHORA

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH

GUATEMALA Vs. SURINAME 8:00 PM EASTERN, ESTADIO MANUEL FELIPE CARRERA
ENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH TBA

PANAMA Vs. EL SALVADOR 8:00 PM EASTERN, ESTADIO ROMMEL FERNANDEZENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: TBA

GROUP B

Jamaica

Outside of their only loss to Curacao and a temporary reduction from the top of the group to second place, Jamaica, under head coach Steve McClaren, has been nothing short of dominant. They took down Bermuda twice, defeated Trinidad & Tobago at home, and they look like they will move on to the World Cup next summer.

But what’s important here is that they can’t falter within these last two matches in the November International Window. Jamaica must get a win away at the Soca Warriors, and they will have their final match at home against Curacao. These are the two roadblocks that face the Reggae Boys in their ability to reach the pitch of the promised land.

They will be away at Trinidad & Tobago and finish at home against Curacao.

Curacao

Dick Advocaat has done a brilliant job managing this Dutch island in the Caribbean. They have played with a purpose, and they have shown themselves to be battle-tested on the pitch at home or on the road. With two wins and a draw at home, these next two matches will now test their mettle. 

Kenji Gorre and Tahith Chong have provided the majority of the offense, while wily veteran goalkeeper Eloy Room will stand in the net to keep the ball from going in. With two draws against Trinidad & Tobago and a win against both Bermuda and Jamaica, they must come up with a big game plan to knock out Bermuda at their place, and then get ready for a huge battle with Jamaica.

They will finish against both Bermuda and Jamaica on the road.

Trinidad & Tobago

It’s a difficult road for the Soca Warriors to get into any of the top two positions in the group. Two draws with Curacao, a clean sheet loss to Jamaica, have truly put them in a perilous position. While they did defeat Bermuda away, Dwight Yorke is going to think up strong tactics to put his players on a run.

The first obstacle will always be against Jamaica. While they will host the Reggae Boys, that match must be on the front foot. They must attack them and get that win to put doubt in their heads. Once they can do that, their final match in Bermuda will mean something other than pride.

They will host Jamaica while finishing up away at Bermuda.

Bermuda

Unfortunately for Bermuda, its run has come to an end. The last two matches are all for pride and playing the upset special. I give this island nation a lot of credit, as it’s not easy to get blitzed twice with the scoreline ending at four goals to nil against Jamaica. While they did battle hard away at Curacao, they couldn’t get that point on the road.

Trinidad & Tobago were just as strong as Jamaica, but scored one goal less. Nobody thought they would’ve made it this far, and if all three tri-hosts of this upcoming summer’s World Cup didn’t automatically qualify, they might have been taken out by the last round.

Credit must go to the head coach, Michael George Findlay. He truly has brought Bermuda into a strong position, and hopefully, if he remains may try to surprise everyone in the Caribbean Zone when the next CONCACAF Nations League returns after the World Cup next summer.

They will host Curacao, then finish away at Trinidad & Tobago.

GROUP B FINAL ROUND OF WCQ SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH

BERMUDA Vs. CURACAO 7:00 PM EASTER, NATIONAL SPORTS CENTRE
ENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: TELEMUNDO DEPORTES AHORA

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Vs. JAMAICA 7:00 PM EASTERN, HASLEY CRAWFORD STADIUMENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+, SPANISH: TELEMUNDO DEPORTES YOUTUBE & FACEBOOK

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO Vs. BERMUDA 8:00 PM EASTERN HASLEY CRAWFORD STADIUM
ENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: TBAJAMAICA Vs. CURACAO 8:00 PM EASTERN INDEPENDENCE PARK
ENGLISH: CBS PARAMOUNT+ SPANISH: TBA

GROUP C

Honduras

Undefeated in Group C, Los Catrachos have secured two wins and two losses. Right now, they have a firm grip on the top spot. In their last match against Haiti, they took them down, scoring all their goals inside the opening half, and retook first place.

Their last two matches in this International window will be on the road. They must secure a victory in their first match before traveling to Costa Rica. If Honduras gets a draw or a loss, then the final match of the group will be up for grabs.

They will finish on the road in both games in Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

In their first three games, the Ticos earned three draws. A one-goal draw and up a man at Nicaragua, a wild three-goal draw at home against Haiti, then a scoreless draw at Honduras. Yet they finally exploded for four goals, defeating Nicaragua at their National Stadium in San Jose.

With two matches remaining in this November international window, Costa Rica must secure a result when they are away against Haiti, and hopefully, the showdown when they return home to face Honduras for the top spot in the group. These will be huge results for them in the final round of qualifying.

Their last two matches are on the road in Haiti at a neutral location and at home against Honduras.

Haiti

Haiti, currently in third place in Group C, had a big road victory over Nicaragua. A three-goal victory to put them in the top two until their next road match at Honduras, where they fell by the same scoreless inside the opening 45 minutes.

Now, to make any attempts to earn the second position and force their way to the playoffs, they must get results facing Costa Rica and Nicaragua at a neutral site, depending on what happens to those two teams in their last two games. The frantic finish could be exciting.

They will finish at a neutral venue against Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Nicaragua

While Nicaragua has battled very hard in these matches for the final round of qualifying, the only real dent they have made was their first match at home against Costa Rica, with a one-goal draw while down to ten men. Then a loss in Honduras, with two more losses at home against Haiti and away at Costa Rica.

They can’t get a draw or a loss in their next game against Honduras. It has to be a win to force the hand of either Costa Rica or Honduras, because their only hope is to make the best second-place finish. They won’t have enough points to clinch the top spot.

They will finish their last two match at home against Honduras and away at Haiti in a neutral venue.

TWO OF THE BEST THREE SECOND-PLACE TEAMS FOR THE PLAYOFFS

• 1. GROUP B: CURACAO 2-2-0 8 PTS +3 GD
• 2. GROUP C: COSTA RICA 1-3-0 6 PTS +3GD
• 3. GROUP A: PANAMA 1-3-0 6 PTS +1 GD

CONCACAF News:

• CONCACAF Announces Setup for Qualifying and its Main Tournament for the U-20 Championship
• Caribbean Cup Semi-Finals Schedule announced by CONCACAF
• CONCACAF Central American Cup Semi-Finals

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