Suriname has taken the lead in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers, edging ahead of Panama based on a superior goal-scoring record. Both teams currently hold six points, but Suriname’s four goals scored and three conceded give them the edge over Panama’s three goals scored and two conceded. Guatemala follows closely in third place with five points, while El Salvador sits at the bottom with three points. With two matches remaining, the group remains wide open, as even the last-placed team could still secure a spot in the next round. Guatemala, playing its remaining matches at home, has a strong chance to climb to the top if they win both games, potentially reaching 11 points. However, home advantage doesn’t guarantee victory, as El Salvador previously defeated Guatemala on their own turf. Guatemala has been ramping up its psychological tactics with intimidating promotional content, but the outcome will ultimately be decided on the field. For Suriname, the path to securing the top spot is clear: they must maximize their goal-scoring opportunities while minimizing defensive lapses. Even marginal victories might not suffice if Panama outperforms them in goal difference. The most favorable scenario for Suriname would involve a draw between Guatemala and Panama, ensuring they maintain their lead. However, the competition remains fierce, and any misstep could abruptly end their World Cup aspirations. The upcoming matches will be decisive, with goal-scoring efficiency playing a critical role in determining the group’s final standings.
分类： sports
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Belize Basketball Wins Bronze Medal
Belize’s under-19 boys’ basketball team has clinched a bronze medal at the 2025 Central American Games, marking a significant achievement for the nation. Despite facing numerous challenges, the young Jaguars showcased exceptional skill and determination, defeating Guatemala with a final score of 85-72. Tevaughn Dawson emerged as the standout player, contributing 27 points and 10 rebounds to the team’s victory. Ranked ninth in the Americas and first in Central America, the team was a strong contender for gold. However, limited resources and scheduling conflicts prevented several key players from participating, impacting their chances. Jacob Leslie, President of the Belize Basketball Federation, will provide insights into the team’s journey and the obstacles they overcame in an upcoming interview on News at Noon. While the victory is celebrated, it is tinged with regret over what could have been.
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Aspiring grandmasters celebrate regional schools’ chess success
The Nunez family, The Montessori Centre, and the Saint Lucia Chess Federation (SLCF) are celebrating the remarkable achievements of Leon and Noah Nunez at the Central America and Caribbean School Chess Championship. Held from October 13 to 19 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the tournament showcased the brothers’ exceptional talent. Nine-year-old Leon secured second place in the Under-9 Absolute division, while five-year-old Noah claimed third in the Under-7 category. Both also excelled in the Blitz time control, with Noah finishing second in Under-7 and Leon fourth in Under-9. The Montessori Centre of Saint Lucia further bolstered the nation’s pride by securing third place overall in the regional competition. Minister for Youth Development and Sports Kenson Casimir lauded the achievements, emphasizing the importance of school sports programs in national development. The event also saw a visit from Carlos Rivero, Zonal Head of the Confederation of Chess for the Americas and President of the Cuban Chess Federation, who engaged with SLCF executives and witnessed the Classic Rated Tournament, won by Justin James.
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Vincy archers medal at regional event
The WAA Caribbean Development Championships, held recently in Trinidad and Tobago, brought together 232 archers from 11 Caribbean nations, marking the region’s largest archery tournament. The Archery Association of SVG (AASVG) proudly represented their country with a team of seven archers, securing multiple medals across 10 categories and divisions during the four-day event. The competition featured both individual and team events, with teams formed after the qualifying rounds, some comprising archers from different nations. Notable achievements included Rayon Clarke’s gold medal in the RDM 50m category, Richol Richards’ bronze in RDW 50m, and Divya Jiandani’s silver in RDU18W 50m. In doubles, Richards and Karen Palmer set a CDC record with 1077 points, earning silver in RDW 50m. Mixed doubles saw Divya Jiandani and Saifullah Gani clinch gold and set another CDC record with 1090 points in RDU18/21X 50m. The AASVG expressed pride in their team’s performance and urged the public to support this emerging Olympic sport.
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Hope, Athanaze shine as Windies Seal T20I Series
The West Indies have clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the Dutch-Bangla T20 International Series against Bangladesh, securing back-to-back victories in a commanding display. Entering the series with only one win in five bilateral matchups this year, the Caribbean side showcased their resilience and skill to claim their second series triumph of 2025. The Bir Shreshtho Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium was packed with enthusiastic supporters, adding to the electric atmosphere.
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Simmons Captures a Double at Pre-Independence Table Tennis Open
The Antigua and Barbuda Table Tennis Association (ABTTA) successfully hosted its Pre-Independence Table Tennis Open on Saturday, October 25, at the Multipurpose Cultural & Exhibition Centre. The event, designed as a preparatory platform for the ANOCES Table Tennis Championships scheduled for November 7–9 in Grenada, drew significant attention and participation.
Mekhi Simmons emerged as the star of the tournament, delivering a stellar performance across both the U19 and Open categories. His remarkable control and poise captivated the audience, earning him widespread acclaim. In the U19 Final, Simmons triumphed over Emmanuel Stout in straight sets, with scores of 11–7, 11–4, 11–4. Later in the evening, he clinched the Open title in a gripping match against Sandra Joseph, securing victory with scores of 11–8, 11–9, 9–11, 11–2. The match was a testament to Simmons’ blend of power, patience, and precision.
ABTTA President praised the participants for their dedication and competitive spirit, stating, ‘This event underscores the growing passion for table tennis in Antigua and Barbuda. Our mission is to provide opportunities for players of all levels—from school beginners to national athletes—to compete, develop, and enjoy the sport.’
With the Pre-Independence Open concluded, the ABTTA is now focused on preparing the national team for the ANOCES Championships. The Association aims to leverage the positive momentum from recent domestic and regional competitions to achieve success on the international stage.
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Saint Lucia’s Elva, Cavalry FC into Canadian football semis
Cavalry FC, the reigning Canadian Premier League (CPL) champions, have secured their place in the Contenders’ Semifinal after a commanding 4-1 victory over York United in the quarterfinals. The match, held at Spruce Meadows’ ATCO Field on a windy weekend, saw Tobias Warschewski shine with a brace, propelling the Cavs to a decisive win. Their next challenge will be against Forge FC, the CPL Shield winners and regular season champions, in a high-stakes clash at Hamilton Stadium on November 2. The victor will advance to the CPL Championship Final on November 9, where they will face Atlético Ottawa for the coveted North Star Cup.
Saint Lucian striker Caniggia Elva, who has scored four goals this season, expressed his confidence after the match. “We’ve been working toward this all season,” Elva stated. “Playoff time is when we come alive. We secured third place to play in front of our fans, and we delivered. Scoring first was our goal, and we’ll keep pushing forward.” Despite being perceived as underdogs, Elva emphasized Cavalry’s championship pedigree, reminding critics of their title-winning campaign last year.
Cavalry’s performance was a testament to their preparation and teamwork. The team recorded 17 shot attempts and six corners in their comprehensive triumph. Head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. praised his squad’s execution, saying, “They were brilliant from the first minute to the last. Every player, whether they started or came off the bench, performed exceptionally. Even those who weren’t in the squad contributed to our preparation. I’m humbled by their performance.”
The stakes are high, as the eventual CPL champions will also earn a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, the premier club competition in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Cavalry FC’s journey continues as they aim to defend their title and secure a place on the continental stage.
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Clarke Road Veterans in winner’s corner in T20 Masters
The 2025 SVG International Masters T20 Cricket Festival witnessed a series of thrilling matches on Tuesday, with Clarke Road Veterans emerging as standout performers in the Festival Division. They secured a commanding 113-run victory over Sarasota International Cricket Club 40+ at the Sion Hill Playing Field. Clarke Road Veterans posted an impressive total of 243 for 4 in their 20 overs, thanks to stellar performances from Ravi Samaroo (60) and Earnil Ryan (52 not out). Contributions from Andre Browne (33), Kevin Ramkarran (31), and Gregory Mahibir (31) further bolstered their score. Sarasota 40+ struggled in response, managing only 130 for 7, with Warren McGregor (32 not out) and Jaikishen Koranchath (22) offering some resistance. Ahkeel Mollon’s 3 for 26 from 4 overs was pivotal in securing the win for Clarke Road Veterans. In other Festival Division matches, Cricket Canada Masters Council edged out Mustique Company Masters by 24 runs, while RSVG Police Masters triumphed over North Leeward Masters by 138 runs. North East Masters also claimed a 6-wicket victory against New York/Stubbs Masters. In the Fete Division Group A, defending champions Windies Masters cruised to a 10-wicket win over AMAAS Sporting Services Barbados Veterans, while D&D Auto World and Monroe Road Masters secured victories in their respective matches. The Fete Division Group B saw AMAAS and North Windward Masters emerge victorious. The tournament continues on Wednesday with a packed schedule of matches across both divisions.
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THIS ONE’S FOR JAMAICA
In a heartfelt international friendly match held in Couva on Tuesday night, Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz secured a commanding 4-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). Head Coach Hubert Busby dedicated the win to Jamaicans worldwide, who are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm that ravaged the island earlier that day. The match saw standout performances from Jodi Brown, who netted two goals in the 11th and 84th minutes, alongside contributions from Natasha Thomas (52nd) and Tiana Harris (67th). T&T’s lone goal came from Nikita Gosine in the 13th minute. Despite the competitive nature of the game, Busby emphasized the emotional significance of the victory, stating, ‘This game was about going out there and making sure we can give something, not just to Jamaicans on the island but Jamaicans worldwide who are going through a lot right now.’ He praised the team’s resilience and execution, particularly after halftime adjustments. T&T’s Head Coach Damian Briggs, though disappointed with the result, expressed pride in his team’s energy and adaptability. The Reggae Girlz now turn their focus to the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, beginning with a match against Dominica on November 29 in St Lucia.
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Concacaf U-20 Men’s qualifiers to be held from February 23-March 4
The stage is set for the 2026 Concacaf Under-20 Men’s Qualifiers, with the draw scheduled for November 6. Trinidad and Tobago (TT) are among the 32 teams vying for a spot in the 2027 FIFA Men’s Under-20 World Cup. The qualifiers, set to take place from February 23 to March 4, 2026, will see teams divided into six groups based on their rankings as of August 5, 2025. TT finds itself in Pot 2, alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, and Suriname, while Pot 1 features powerhouses like Canada, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. The qualifiers will be hosted across venues in Costa Rica, Curacao, and Nicaragua, with the top team from each group advancing to the Concacaf Under-20 Championships in July 2026. There, they will join six pre-qualified teams: Cuba, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. The championships will feature 12 teams divided into three groups, with the top two from each group and the two best third-placed teams progressing to the quarterfinals. At the 2024 Concacaf Under-20 Championships, Mexico triumphed over the US in the final, while Cuba and Panama secured third and fourth places, respectively. However, both Mexico and the US were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, with Morocco claiming the title. TT’s journey in the 2024 qualifiers ended in disappointment after a loss to Canada. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Randolph Boyce, TT is hopeful for a favorable draw and a strong performance in the upcoming qualifiers.