Group A: (El Salvador, Suriname, Dominican Republic, Cayman Islands)
El Salvador came into qualifying as favourites in group A with little resistance expected from the remaining group members. They however met a bit of resistance in their opening match against the Dominican Republic. They went into halftime of the match tied 0-0 and ended with a slim 3-2 win over an opponent that was not expected to compete. Three points in this stage of qualifying is however more important than goal differential and they got the expected win. Suriname beat the Cayman Islands 1-0 in the other opening match, a scoreline that was also closer than expected. The following week the nations met again in the 2nd group matches. In another surprising performance, Dominican Republic managed to earn a point against Suriname in a 1-1 tie. El Salvador bounced back well in the other match beating the Cayman Islands by the score of 4-1.
What Have We Learned?
None of the groups four competing teams are good enough to even play spoiler in the next round. El Salvador showed that they're still inconsistant and the opening 3-2 win over Dominican Republic makes you question if they are still the force they've always been at home? Suriname, currently in 2nd place with 4 points, have scored twice from two penalties. They struggled to beat both of the group's minnows and if they manage to qualify from this group they will not earn a point in the next round. The Dominican Republic have been the most impressive of the group given previous expectations but are only one loss away from elimination. The Cayman Islands won't compete anymore than they have so far.
Group B: (Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Barbados, Bermuda)
The opening games of this group weren't as close as the final scorelines would lead you to believe. Trinidad and Tobago took on Bermuda to open their campaign, in a rematch of a 2010 qualifier. Bermuda beat T&T in Trinidad the last time around before falling at home in the playoff and tried to duplicate the result. This time however the match was one sided but despite many opportunities, T&T couldn't find the net. In the end a 45th minute goal was all that seperated the sides, 1-0 to Trinidad and Tobago. In the other match, Guyana answered all previous questions about how evenly they would be matched with Barbados. The Guyanese won the opening contest 2-0 without any threat of losing. In the 2nd matches, T&T took on Barbados and Guyana met Bermuda. The matchups were different but the winners and margin of victory remained the same. Trinidad and Tobago beat Barbados away 2-0 while Guyana beat Bermuda at home 2-1.
What Have We Learned?
This is a two team race. Trinidad and Tobago look solid despite not playing for almost a year before the start of qualifying. They are yet to concede a goal and have won both of their matches in one sided affairs. Guyana however currently sit in 1st place thanks to their goal difference. The only goal they have conceded thus far was a 90th minute goal by Bermuda. They are stronger than expected and could provide good competition for Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados are worst than expected and in all probability will finish the group in last place after 2 lackluster performances while failing to score. Bermuda for what its worth have shown for the 2nd cycle in a row that they are not typical minnows and will give anyone a tough match...they are 1 loss away from elimination however.
Group C: (Panama, Nicaragua, Dominica)
The Bahamas withdrew before the competition started and even if they had competed they would have most likely embarrased themselves in the 6 scheduled matches. The remaining 3 teams though will battle it out for 1 spot in the next round of qualifying. In the opening match of the group, Nicaragua beat Dominica by the score of 2-0 in an away game. Four days later they faced the fancied Panamanians at home but despite playing a close game they lost 2-1.
What Have We Learned?
Losing one team has really made the group unbalanced and less interesting. The fact that 2 of the 3 remaining teams are Dominica and Nicaragua makes the group one sided as well. Panama will win the group easily, but the lack of competition may not do much to prepare them for the next round.
Group D: (Canada, St.Lucia, St.Kitts, Puerto Rico)
Canada got a very favourable draw, not just for this round but for the following one as well. They capitalized on their good fortune by winning their opening match 4-1 (after being tied 1-1 after 7 minutes) against St.Lucia. St.Kitts hosted an improved Puerto Rico in the other opener and surprisingly St.Kitts were held at home 0-0 by the baseball loving Puerto Ricans. Going into the 2nd match, Canada were already alone in 1st place and they did well to hold on to their group lead by beating Puerto Rico 3-0. In a matchup of Saints, St.Lucia hosted St.Kitts but went behind 3-0 in the first 15 minutes, eventually losing 4-2.
What Have We Learned?
Canada have had a fast start and should run away with this group before the final round of games. St.Lucia have given up 4 goals in every qualifier they've played so far including the preliminaries, they also have a knack for giving up early goals. They will always be involved in exciting matches, but unfortunately for them they will lose most of them. St.Kitts did themselves no favours tying Puerto Rico early on. They will be playing catch up to Canada the whole way and any other dropped points will seal the group. Puerto Rico are on the brink of elimination but have done well for themselves to this point. They managed to go almost a game and a half without conceding a goal but they won't do much to finish above 3rd.
Group E: (Grenada, Guatemala, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize)
Coming into this round, Group E was looked upon as by far the closest and the most interesting group. Who would have thought that 2 games into play we would be shocked and surprised in the most shocking way. The shock started with the very first match, when Grenada hosted Belize. Grenada has played in the last 2 Gold Cups and almost beat Costa Rica at home in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, they were also seeded for this group. So when they lost 0-3 to Belize at home to open their campaign, it was more than just a little surprising. In the other opener, Guatemala hosted St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Past their best years, St.Vincent aren't the respectable side they were in the 90's and early 2000's but they are still capable of an upset. That upset did not come in their trip to Central America though, they lost soundly 4-0 to the Guatemalans. Four days later, Belize hosted their Central American opponents, Guatemala and lost 2-1 in a closer than expected match. Almost 2 weeks later on September 18th, St.Vincent would host Grenada in their 2nd match. Both were coming off blowout losses, shameful for two of the more respected Caribbean nations. St.Vincent protected their home ground of Arnos Vale and won 2-1.
What Have We Learned?
Grenada will not qualify from this group and infact will do well to finish above the bottom of the group. They have been outplayed thoroughly and are yet to meet Guatemala. Guatemala have filled the role that Grenada left void, they have full points from their matches and should qualify for the next round as many would have expected before hand. St.Vincent and the Grenadines, while not the team they once were, may be motivated by their win over Grenada and if they can hold Guatemala to a draw in their next home game they stand a small chance. Belize, like Puerto Rico, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic have shown that they are more than just minnows. Unlike those teams however, Belize stands a real chance in this group. They finish their schedule with two games against St.Vincent and the Grenadines and still play Grenada and Guatemala once. Currently in 2nd place, they can have a nice run in the group.
Group F: (Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, Curacao, US Virgin Islands)
Group F is like no other group in this round. A clear minnow, a clear super minnow and two teams of equal strength. That means 2 things, we get a predictable and one-sided beginning to the group with a close and potentially surprising end to it. In the first game, Haiti beat the US Virgin Islands 6-0. In the other match, Antigua beat Curacao 5-2 after falling behind early. In the 2nd match, Antigua beat USVI by the score of 8-1, while Haiti beat Curacao 4-2 after falling behind twice.
What Have We Learned?
The effects of the earthquake have affected Haiti's national team performance though it hasn't shown yet in qualifying. The goal difference game has been won by Antigua so far and that may come into play later on in the group. A few years ago, Haiti would not be challenged by the likes of Antigua but since the earthquake Haiti are not what they once were. This one is too tough to call at the moment and it will come down to the final two games.
