Haiti, Dominican Republic progress in Women’s U-17 Championship
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CMC) – The group stage of the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship closed here on Thursday with Haiti and hosts the Dominican Republic advancing to the knockout round.
All eyes were on the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo where the Dominican Republic took on Bermuda in Group F.
In the end, the spoils belonged to the Dominican Republic who collected a 5-0 win. Julia Jimenez and Renata Mercedes each had braces, with Jimenez scoring in the 3rd and 52nd minute, while Mercedes got her goals in the 10th and 87th. Also joining that dynamic duo on the scoresheet was Ariana Diaz in the 61st.
The win was also the first Concacaf Women’s U-17 victory ever for the Dominican Republic.
With their places in the Round of 16 already secured, Canada and Jamaica squared off at the Estadio Panamericano in San Cristobal to determine the winner of Group F.
Natoya Atkinson had the Reggae Girlz dreaming of first place after her score in the 38th for a 1-0 lead, but Canada found the 1-1 equaliser in the 50th through Renee Watson, a scoreline that held until the final whistle, meaning Canada won the group on goal difference.
Haiti are also through to the Round of 16 after topping Guatemala 3-1 in Group H at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez.
Ancie-Love Houanche gave the Caribbean side a 1-0 lead in the third minute, followed by scores from Ronise Joseph in the 70th and Walandjina Cyriaque in the 82nd. Guatemala would finish on a positive note, however, as Flor Perla scored in the 90+5’ to get the Chapines on the scoreboard.
Despite a 3-0 defeat to El Salvador, Cuba still reached the Round of 16 with a third-place finish, trailing second-placed Haiti and group winners El Salvador.
El Salvador completed their perfect Group H at Estadio Panamericano as Victoria Sanchez (41st), Caroline Ayala (53rd), and Mia Arevalo (58th) all scored to deliver the three points.