Here is how groups A and B in CONCACAF shake out after two matches.
Group A
1. El Salvador 6 points, +4 Goal Difference
2. Suriname 4 points, +1 GD
3. Dominican Republic 1 point, -1 GD
4. Cayman Islands 0 points, -4 GD
As expected, El Salvador holds the top spot in group A after victories over the Dominican Republic, 3-2 and the Cayman Islands, 4-1.
The side had minor scares in both matches. They conceded twice to a Dominican side ranked 58 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Then, the team failed to score in the first half in the Cayman Islands, before responding well in the second half.
El Salvador plays the same two teams in October and two more wins could see the Central American nation lock up the group by then.
Suriname has struggled to score goals in the opening two games with its only two coming from the penalty spot through Friso Mando. The side should be disappointed with its performances, only beating minnow the Cayman Islands 1-0 at home and failing to grab all three points in the Dominican Republic, drawing 1-1.
The Surinamese team's chances of advancing were slim, but if they drop any more points in the next two matches, the side's campaign is basically over.
The Dominican Republic put in two surprisingly nice performances, and came away with a point for its effort. They scored twice in El Salvador and fought back to claim a 1-1 draw with Suriname. These results show the growth of the sport in the Dominican Republic.
The side came into this round seeded in the final pot, courtesy of a comfortable aggregate win over Anguilla in one of the five first round ties. They were expected to finish near the bottom of the group, however they will be confident of positive results in the next matches, and could possibly finish second. Failure to win next match will result in the Dominican Republic being eliminated from finishing atop the group.
True minnows Cayman Islands were never seriously going to contend in this group. Any points they gain in this round will be a bonus. If they lose their next match, the side will be mathematically eliminated.
Group B
1. Guyana 6 points, +3 GD
2. Trinidad and Tobago 6 points, +3 GD
3. Bermuda 0 points, -2 GD
4. Barbados 0 points, -4 GD
Guyana is first in group B by virtue of having scored one more goal than Trinidad and Tobago. In its opening match Guyana exposed Barbados' high defensive line for a 2-0 win, then followed it up with a 2-1 win against Bermuda thanks to a Vurlon Mills brace.
Things get tougher for Guyana in its next two fixtures, where they play the same two sides on the road. If they can pick up six more points, it will set up a showdown with T&T for first place.
Trinidad and Tobago did pick up two wins, however, they know their performance was not up what is expected from them. While they did win comfortably 2-0 on a bumpy pitch in Barbados, a 1-0 win at home over lowly Bermuda does not inspire a lot of confidence.
T&T should be wary when traveling to Bermuda next month, they have been tripped up by Khano Smith and company before. Once again, the two games with Guyana in November will in all likelihood decide the group winner.
Bermuda has shown well in its two games and could play spoiler with two games at home in October. They do need to figure out who else can score goals besides Smith.
Finally, Barbados has been disappointing. They have not scored any goals and its defense has been full of holes. If anything, they are lucky its goal differential is not worse than it already is.
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