Nations League Big games

This is match day 3 will take place today, the 17th, 18th and 20th of November. All teams are
trying to qualify for top 10 spots for the Gold Cup 2019 and also trying to place themselves in
the highest league in the CONCACAF Nations League. The top 10 qualify for the Gold Cup.
So……

#5 Saint Kitts and Nevis    vs. #3 Canada:

Saint Kitts is looking good sitting in the #5 spot and are in reach of Gold Cup qualification. They have not been scored upon yet. They are at home against Canada. Canada is not fooling around in this tournament. They have no automatic qualified like the previous Gold Cups and not qualifying would be a disaster for the cold Northern neighbor. The Canucks will be bringing processional players from all over to play in the Caribbean. I see #5 ranked Saints Kitts getting beat at home.

#4 Cuba v   #7 Dominican Republic.

Perennial Caribbean power Cuba will be up against a new up and coming nation of Dominican Republic. Neither nation has been scored upon so far in the first 2 games. Something has to give.
I have to give the advantage to the home team Cuba here.  I am thinking they both are evenly
matched and i see a draw. I would very much like to see Dominican Republic in the Gold Cup since
they would have the most fans of any new nation in the regional tournament.

 

#6 Jamaica vs    #12 Suriname:  

Jamaica is playing at home. Their home field use to be called the office. It was “the office” since Jamaica
use to win so many times there, it was like go to the office, take care of business, go home. I see
Jamaica winning here and smashing Suriname chance to play in the Gold Cup.

# 8 Nicaragua v #2 Haiti.

I have been hoping Nicaragua could finally compete with their fellow Central American soccer
neighbors. They have come a very long way in the last 5 years. They no longer get blown out and
have a fighting chance against their Central American neighbors now.  Unfortunately they have to
go up against the Grenadiers of Haiti here. Haiti are a hard charging, tactically sound, tall and athletic. I think Nicaragua will do well at home if they
can get a point. Anything else is a huge success for Nicaragua. Surprisingly Haiti missed last Gold Cup
and Nicaragua participated….hmmmmmm

The other 3 games with top 10 implications are below

#9 Martinique   vs. #17 Antigua and Barbuda:

Martinique is undefeated and playing at home. Martinique is a French speaking island who have already
qualified for 5 Gold Cups. Martinique DID play in the last Gold Cup and look to continue that rich
tradition. A&B has no Gold Cup appearances.  none. Martinique victory…..

#1 Curacao      v #13 Guadeloupe:

Curacao -This Dutch island was formally known as the Netherlands Antilles, but the Antilles split into
other federations. Curacao is the power of the other islands. They are presently the #1 seed out of
the entire qualifying group. They participate in the last Gold Cup. They go up against the French
island of Guadeloupe. Guadeloupe has 3 Gold Cup to their name. Guadeloupe is sitting a the #13 spot and do not want to drop any
lower. Look for one of the best games this weekend here in Curacao. So it is the Dutch v the French
here. I see the Dutch getting 3 more points.

#16 French Guiana   vs. #11 Guyana:

These 2 South American nations both want to prove themselves in CONCACAF. French Guiana qualified for the last Gold Cup but they are precariously sitting on the 16# spot presently. And need
to more up to the #10 spot. Guyana has never qualified and they desperately want to. This is an away
game for them (Guyana) but they don’t have to travel that far. Guyana is sitting at the #11 spot. They
Guyana) believe they will jump into the top 10 in the next few day with all the top 10 ranked teams
playing each other. Look for one of these South American nations to qualify.

* please note El Salvador and Bermuda have played already today