In a hard-fought Under-20 football encounter, Sint Maarten emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Natio on February 27th, marking their first triumph after suffering two consecutive defeats in previous matches.
The match remained scoreless until the 40th minute when Sint Maarten’s forward Yan Gonzaque broke through Natio’s defensive line and skillfully placed the ball into the net, establishing a 1-0 lead that persisted through halftime.
Following the interval, the game maintained equilibrium with Natio controlling slightly more possession. Despite this advantage, Sint Maarten extended their lead in the 74th minute as Gonzaque secured his second goal of the evening, demonstrating clinical finishing ability.
Natio responded swiftly with top scorer Xavi Dors reducing the deficit to 2-1 just two minutes later. The match intensified dramatically when a contentious situation erupted involving players from both sides. The altercation began when Sint Maarten players attempted to delay the restart while Natio players sought to quickly return the ball to midfield. The confrontation resulted in disciplinary action with one Sint Maarten player receiving a red card and a Natio player being shown yellow.
During the final minutes, Natio intensified pressure in search of an equalizer but ultimately failed to convert opportunities, allowing Sint Maarten to secure their first victory of the tournament.