MIAMI.- Sint Maarten began their Concacaf Nations League Qualifying run with a game against powerhouse Haiti and fell 13-0 to a very good side that would later go on to take Mexico to the brink in the 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup semifinals. 

Another tough outing came against a Bermuda team that also enjoyed a fantastic Gold Cup performance.

But in the final game of qualifying Sint Maarten turned things around and scored four goals against rival Saint Martin to pick up three big points, which should give the side a boost of confidence heading into their Group D clashes. 

Sint Maarten defeated Anguilla 2-0 in a friendly on August 18, making it two wins in a row and three unbeaten (having drawn 1-1 against Saint Barthelemy in a friendly back in February) heading into league play.

Group D foes Turks and Caicos and Guadeloupe will both prove to be tough competition for Head Coach Elvis Albertus’ men, but the side does have some exciting attacking players like the young winger Gerwin Lake, who plays in the Netherlands and scored twice in the victory of Saint Martin in CNLQ. Midfielder Brandon Potmis is just 20 years old and is playing abroad in Curacao.

Sint Maarten enter the Nations League on a hot streak, and while promotion may prove difficult, it is a team that can definitely have an impact in the group and cause havoc for their group opponents.