SAINT Lucia failed to maintain its Number #1 spot in League B of the CONCACAF Nations League (CNL), ultimately squandering its chances for qualification to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
This disappointing outcome follows two lackluster performances in recent away matches.
After a disheartening 4-0 defeat to Grenada last Friday, Saint Lucia suffered a crushing 4-1 loss to Curaçao on Monday, extinguishing any hopes of promotion to League A.
In Monday’s match at the Stadion Ergilio Hato in Willemstad, Curaçao exploited Team Saint Lucia’s weaknesses, delivering a decisive 4-1 defeat. This loss nullified the significant progress the Piton Boyz made to secure the top position in their League B group.
The match featured a high-paced opening half-hour, where three goals were scored, with Curaçao taking the lead twice. Gervane Kastaneer opened the scoring in the 27th minute, but Ryan Charles quickly equalized for Saint Lucia just two minutes later.
The brief period of hope was shattered as Kastaneer struck again at the 30-minute mark, securing his brace.
Curaçao extended their advantage in the second half with Juninho scoring two additional goals in the 73rd and 79th minutes, leaving Team Saint Lucia unable to recover.
Consequently, Curaçao topped the group with 13 points and secured promotion to League A, as well as direct qualification for the Gold Cup. Saint Lucia finished in second place with nine points.
Despite Grenada finishing third in the group on seven points after a 3-0 loss to Saint Martin on Monday, both Saint Lucia and Grenada will remain in League B for 2025.
Saint Martin ended the group in last place with six points and will be relegated to League C for the upcoming tournament.
Team Saint Lucia began their campaign strongly in Group B with victories over Grenada and Curaçao, alongside a third win against Saint Martin. However, their performance in the final round of matches saw them concede a staggering 12 goals in three consecutive losses, which ultimately cost them control of the group.
Now, Team Saint Lucia must refocus and strategize for the World Cup Qualifying stages. The Piton Boyz are set to face Curaçao again, as well as Barbados.
Curaçao leads their five-team group, ahead of Haiti based on goal difference, while Saint Lucia sits in third, with Aruba in fourth.
The team standings for Gold Cup Qualifications are as follows:
League A
Group A
| Matches | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 4 | 8 |
| Suriname | 4 | 7 |
| Guatemala | 4 | 7 |
| Martinique | 4 | 5 |
| Guadeloupe | 4 | 4 |
| Guyana | 4 | 1 |
Group B
| Matches | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Jamaica | 4 | 8 |
| Honduras | 4 | 7 |
| Nicaragua | 4 | 7 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 4 | 5 |
| Cuba | 4 | 3 |
| F. Guiana | 4 | 1 |