USA, Mexico,
& Honduras clinch while Costa Rica losS in Playoffs
After
the results of the final CONCACAF qualifying matches
last Wednesday, USA
lead the CONCACAF Final round qualifiers with 20 points
while Mexico and Honduras finish second and third
respectively to complete the three automatic spots.
Mexico
did what was necessary against Trinidad and Tobago, in
what turned out to be a dull affair with almost the same
amount of Mexican supporters as the Soca Warriors in
attendance. The
game ended 2-2 and it seemed like every time T&T scored,
Mexico responded accordingly.
Mexico equalized in
the 65th
minute to make it a 2-2 ball game, from a neat by Carlos Salcido to set up an
exciting finish to a somewhat dull game. But to stay
true to form, both teams missed late chances and both
teams hit the crossbar as the game finished in a
deserving 2-2 draw.
With
the tie Mexico finished in second place with
19 points, one
point behind USA. Trinidad and Tobago finished
their campaign in last place with 6 points. Honduras
finished in third place with 16 points after defeating El Salvador 1-0,
while Costa Rica finished in fourth place on goal
difference after allowing
USA to come back from a two goal half time deficit to
tie 2-2 in the 4 minute of injury time.
Honduras defeat El Salvador 1-0 to clinch third and
final automatic spot to World Cup South Africa out After
Costa Rica tie with USA. As a result of its tie Costa Rica
had to play Uruguay, the fifth place South American
team in a home and away playoff series to get to 2010
World Cup.
As it
turned out, on November 14 Costa Rica lost 1-0 to Uruguay
in its first game at home and only manage a tie in the
second game on November 18 in
Uruguay to lose on aggregate and as a result will have
to watch the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Mexico defeat USA
for a second time
Still alive
in CONCACAF(FIFA.com)
Thursday 13 August 2009
It was another action-packed night in the North, Central
American and Caribbean zone, as the home sides
prevailed. Mexico fought hard to recover from an early
deficit and earn a 2-1 victory over USA at the Estadio
Azteca, as Trinidad and Tobago managed to hold on in
Port of Spain to disappoint struggling El Salvador 1-0.
Honduras capped the night with an energetic performance,
notching no less than four goals to surprise
top-of-the-table Costa Rica. Join FIFA.com for a
closer look at all the evening's action from CONCACAF.
Match of the day Mexico 2-1 USA
Charlie Davies (9), Israel Castro (19), Miguel Sabah
(81)
Mexico came from behind to defeat rivals USA 2-1 in
their crucial 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
qualifier, propelled by punishing strikes from Israel
Castro and super-sub Miguel Sabah. USA took the lead in
the ninth minute as Charlie Davies finished a
counter-attack to slot home at the far post. However,
Mexico soon drew level as Castro's long-range shot
crashed in off the crossbar.
With nine minutes to play, Efraín Juárez made a great
penetrating run which drew two defenders, opening up
substitute Sabah who struck a hard volley into the top
of the net. With the win El Tri stayed fourth in
the region, but edged to within just one point of the
top half of the table. Javier Aguirre's side are now
back in the mix, but their work is not done, as an away
date with leaders Costa Rica awaits on 5 September.
In other action
Cornell Glen's early goal was enough to give Trinidad
and Tobago three points against El Salvador and
reinvigorate their South Africa 2010 dream. The Soca
Warriors notched their first victory in the
six-nation qualifying group before an overwhelmingly
partisan crowd at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. With the
result, they drew level with their opponents on five
points at the bottom of the standings, four below
Mexico.
Honduras put on an electric performance in San Pedro
Sula, looking dangerous right from the start as they
leapfrogged USA into second place by beating leaders
Costa Rica 4-0. Carlos Costly started and finished the
lesson, with Carlos Pavon and Melvin Valladares adding
to the tally for Honduras, who are now two points behind
the Ticos and above the USA on goal difference.
Costly caught the Costa Rica defence napping to head
home the opener in the first half and from then on there
was no way back for the visitors.
The top three teams in North, Central America and the
Caribbean earn automatic qualifying berths to the 2010
FIFA World Cup South Africa™, while the fourth-placed
team will face a two-leg play-off against the
fifth-placed finisher in South America for the final
berth.
Player of the day - Carlos Costly (HON)
Carlos Costly of Honduras was the leading scorer of the
day, finding the net twice [31, 90] as his side rolled
over Costa Rica. His active play nearly yielded several
more for his side, as he repeatedly danced with the ball
deep in the Ticos territory before sending searching
passes across the goalmouth for his team-mates.
What they said
"We found it very difficult to settle on the field in
the opening minutes and the United States took
advantage," said Mexico defender Carlos Salcido. "Then,
we became calmer, building our offensive play and our
goals finally came."
"We know we're a great team and I think we have what it
takes to win here, but today we were a little bit
unlucky," said USA forward Charlie Davies, on whether
his side's failure to capitalise on their early lead was
a missed opportunity. "They were able to control most of
the game with possession, and I think that's what hurt
us."
The number
1 - The number of goals that the three visiting teams
were able to muster in 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™
qualifying action in the North, Central American and
Caribbean zone.
Mexico defeated USA
2-1
The CONCACAF 2010
World Cup qualifiers
will resume on
August 12 with a
rematch between
Mexico and USA after
the Mexicans
humiliated the
Americans 5-0 in the
Gold Cup final on
July 26. Presently,
USA is in second
place while Mexico
is in the hot 4th
spot heading into
the August showdown
in Mexico
City
USA
Continue to lead in 2010 qualifiers .... the heat is on
After 3 games in the CONCACAF
2010 World Cup qualifiers, USA is atop of the
group standings and seemed to be the team to beat.
However, the Americans have a two tough games next
against Costa Rica
and Honduras and if USA is successful with
positive results they could all but cement a spot in the
big four.
All
this action is happening as
spring fights off the last effects of winter and the lower
seeded teams having to step up their play to secure a
position in their 2010 World Cup qualifiers. The heat is
getting intense and the pressure is on the bottom teams
since the big guns are beginning to surge forward.
The
T&T Soca Warriors showed little fight last week in a 3-0
drubbing by USA in Nashville Tennessee, as the
Americans jumped all over the Warriors from the opening
whistle with nineteen-year-old striker Jozy Altidore as
the Johnny on the spot after scoring a hat trick to give
USA an easy 3-0 victory.
To
make matters worst, Honduras jumped into third spot
after defeating Mexico 3-1 in San Pedro Sula. The
Mexicans are in fourth place, which left El Salvador and
Trinidad and Tobago, in 5th and 6th place respectively.
As
was the case last September when USA defeated T&T by the
same margin of victory, the call for coach Maturana’s
firing has resurfaced and since it seems like the
Warriors may have blown the easier part of their final
round schedule it may be a case of Dejavue all over
again.
However, in keeping things in context, it should be
noted that T&T has never won on U.S. soil, and the
Warriors and El Salvador may find themselves out of
contention if they cannot defeat Mexico and Costa Rica
while enjoying home field advantage on June 6.
The
call for a coaching change because of a USA loss seems
to be over kill but with Mexico making a coach change,
it seems like the only window for a change is now, since
there are over seven weeks left for the next qualifiers
to be played.
Since coach Maturana has explored the T&T talent pool
and there is no other direction for the team to go but
up I am hopeful that if the TTFF makes a coaching change
it will if any thing, improve the selection of the T&T
team.
Winning and losing is a coach’s area of responsibility
but the players should shoulder some of the blame for
the embarrassing loss against USA. At any level of
national soccer/football, a control of the ball on the
first touch is necessary and stringing passes together
is where the fun begins for a player.
For
most of these players a good international performances
could have meant a spot back in their respective team’s
line up compared to being on loan and/or riding the
bench, which seems to result in a loss of confidence in
their play.
The
support or lack of it for the Warriors at the games in
T&T is an area that has to improve for Trinidad and
Tobago to advance. When the attendance is good, there is
no cheering for the team and no booing or jeering of the
opposition. Instead, there is partying to the Rhythm
section and DJ music as the forefront. Hence, the heat
is on.
USA
defeat Guatemala 2-0 to send a message for final
round
USA lived up to their #1 ranking in CONCACAF and
seem to be on track to qualify for
World Cup South Africa 2010 when the Americans
destroyed any hopes of Guatemala advancing to the final
round.
USA
soccer program seem to be clicking on all cylinders
after overpowering Guatemala 2-0 in the second
half of play without most of
their regular starters in
the roster. Guatemala had to win while Trinidad and
Tobago had to lose to Cuba for them to stand any chance
of moving into second place in Group A and into the
final round.
After a
scoreless first half both USA and T&T raised their level
of play to defeat their opponents. USA goal was scored
by Kenny Cooper at the 54 minute while Freddy Adu put
the American further ahead with the insurance goal at
the 69 minute.
USA
clinched a spot into the final round since their fourth
game when they defeated Cuba 6-1 to also win the Group A
title.
Last Saturday the
match schedule for the six-team 'hexagonal' round was
finalized and the first games of the final round are
schedule for February 11, with Trinidad and Tobago
travelling to play El Salvador while Costa Rica stays at
home to play Honduras.
The Mexicans could be scratching their heads in lieu
of their big first leg test against CONCACAF #1
ranked USA since it could be the turning point for
Mexico’s coach Eriksson and his team. Mexico has
lost their last two game and will be under the gun
to win in the US or face another brush with
elimination from World Cup 2010.
Final round schedule for the North, Central
America, and Caribbean Zone Wednesday 11 February Costa Rica-Honduras El
Salvador-Trinidad and Tobago USA-Mexico Saturday 28 March Mexico-Costa Rica Trinidad
and Tobago-Honduras El Salvador-USA Wednesday 1 April Costa Rica-El Salvador
USA-Trinidad and Tobago Honduras-Mexico Wednesday 3 June Costa Rica-USA Saturday 6 June Trinidad and Tobago-Costa
Rica El Salvador-Mexico USA-Honduras Wednesday 10 June Mexico-Trinidad and Tobago
Honduras-El Salvador Wednesday 12 August Honduras-Costa Rica
Trinidad and Tobago-El Salvador Mexico-USA
The top three finishing teams automatically qualify
for South Africa 2010, while the fourth place team
will play a South American opponent for the last
CONCACAF spots.
Soca Warriors defeat
USA 2-1 to move into second place in Group1
Port of Spain:
Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors has defeated USA 2-1
before a fair crowd at the Hasley Crawford Stadium last
Saturday. The win has all but assured T&T a spot in the
CONCACAF World Cup qualifying final round of six as the
Warriors moved ahead of Guatemala and into sole
possession of second place in Group A.
Trinidad and Tobago has eight points to Guatemala’s five
and with the Warriors playing Cuba in Trinidad on
November 19 while Guatemala will be up against USA in
the United States in their final games, it is no secret
that Guatemala is not in a favorable situation.
However should Trinidad and Tobago lose their game
against Cuba and Guatemala defeat USA then the situation
will be reversed and Guatemala would advance ahead of
T&T based on their superior goal difference.
In
retrospect it is Dejavue all over again as T&T was in
the driver’s seat against USA in 1989 for World Cup 1990
and was eliminated after losing 1-0. However with the
experience in bedded into the Trinidad and Tobago team
presently and judging by their first ever victory over
USA last Saturday, most Warrior fans are adamant that
“that was then (89) and this is now” and the Warriors
has more options now since they can still advance if
Guatemala lose of tie with USA in their next game.
For
the USA game Warrior coach Maturana started Aklie
Edwards and Silvio Spann into the wing back positions in
place of Avery John and Cyd Gray (suspended) while
Dennis Lawrence and Keyeno Thomas remained in the
line-up as the starting central backs after their
outstanding performance in the Guatemala game.
The momentum of the warriors game in Guatemala seem to
carry over into the USA game for as the game started it
was apparent that USA was struggling with their team
chemistry due to Coach Bob Bradly inclusions of several
new and youthful players into the team after USA
clinched the group A title in their 6-1 win over Cuba in
their last game.
However in spite of the omission of several of their
starters in the game it was not youth that seemed to be
the problem for the USA team but the businesslike
approach to the game by captain Dwight Yorke and his
Soca Warriors teammates.
The
territorial advantage was evident from the onset and as
a result the USA defense was under pressure from the
opening whistle. T&T striker Jason Scotland sharp turns
and quick acceleration created several anxious moments
around the USA net but with no scoring to create any
momentum due to the lack of enthusiasm and inexperience
of the Soca Warriors supporters in regards to creating
any home advantage.
Needless to say USA had the chance to settle down and
stringed together some effective short crisp passes.
However that was to no avail since for the most part the
short passes only contributed to USA ball possession and
allowed the T&T defensive coverage to solidify and cut
off any scoring threat.
T&T
midfielder Chris Birchall as always was the work horse
in the middle of the field and while Dwight Yorke
systematically dropped back in his defense to relieve
his defenders of the ball in an effort to create
penetration, the USA defense was also up to the task.
I
thought that T&T midfielders on the flanks in Carlos
Edwards and Keon Daniel did not put enough pressure on
the USA defense in the first half and were a bit slow of
the mark which resulted in both of them having trouble
getting to the bye line on a regular to serve the cross
balls that was required.
However with more Makan Hislop replacing Keon Daniel
after a goalless first half, the game changed. Then came
the play of the game at the 61st minute when
Russell Latapy the “little magician” worked some of his
magic by scoring with a left footed half volley from a
Carlos Edwards right side cross that dramatically
rebounded off the upright and also off goal keeper
Bradley Guzman and into the USA net To give Trinidad and
Tobago a 1-0 lead.
USA
equalized at the 74th minute on a goal scored
by Charlie Davis and as play intensified Dwight Yorke
converted from the penalty spot at the 79th
minute as USA goalkeeper Guzan guessed dove to the wrong
side as the ball entered the net to give Trinidad and
Tobago an all important 2-1 win. With the announcement
of Cuba 2-1 upset of Guatemala at the end of the game,
there was a (fete) festive atmosphere in downtown Port
of Spain.
As
the CONCACAF world Cup final scores were announced there
was a big cheer for the Jamaica Reggae Boyz 1-0 victory
over Honduras in Kingston. The win gave the Reggae Boyz
life in the “Group of Death” and should Mexico beat
Honduras in Honduras and the Boyz take care of business
on November 19 against Canada in Kingston the Caribbean
soccer fans down here feel that T&T or Jamaica would
have a good chance of qualifying to World Cup South
Africa 2010 out of the final round of six.
USA derailed
T&T 3-0 at Toyota Park
Chicago:
The long and winding road to World Cup South Africa have
straightened out after game three for the three group
favorites in the CONCACAF qualifiers while the
struggling teams look for direction as their cookies
begin to crumble.
USA
remained on track to progress to the final round of six
with a comfortable 3-0 win domination of Trinidad and
Tobago at Toyota Park in Bridgeview Chicago, while
Mexico and Costa Rica defeated Canada and Haiti 2-1 and
3-1 respectively to approach the home stretch leading
their group races with straight road ahead to the final
round.
In Canada there is a little rumbling in regards to the
capacity of the Canuck coach Dale Mitchell ability to
lead the Canada Mens’s team and while the Mexicans bid a
proper farewell to Cuauhtémoc Blanco after his
retirement in Chiapas Mexico after their victory, Horace
Burrell the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) President
announced the firing of their Technical Director Rene
Simoes after the team suffered two successive losses to
Mexico and Honduras.
"I could have allowed things to go on as they are, but
honestly would not be performing my duties in the way
that it is expected and to push Jamaica's football
forward," Burrell stated
"We are not out, first of all, and we have three games
at home (remaining in the semi-finals)," he said. "We
are going to get re-energised and we are going to hope
for good results." Burrell is expected to name a
successor to Simoes within the coming week but has
emphasize
Meanwhile
the Simoes fever has hit Trinidad and Tobago and some
Soca Warriors fans have been calling for the firing of
coach Francisco Maturana after T&T has dropped into
third place in Group 1 behind USA and Guatemala since
Guatemala defeated Cuba 4-1 and moved into second on
virtue of their goal difference.
To add ammunition to the fans the Soca Warriors team was
on the defensive from the opening whistle as USA
shredded T&T on goals by Michael Bradley and Clint
Dempsey at the 10th and 18th
minute to take a 2-0 halftime lead as Brian Ching scored
at the 57th minute with a header to seal the
USA victory.
In the USA game the Trinidad and Tobago players were
making bad passes with no opposing player on them and to
add insult to injury they were not getting back into
their proper defensive positions after the miscues which
question their motivation or lack of it.
Granted Dwight Yorke the newly appointed T&T captain did
not make the trip but for what it is worth the captain
in the USA game would have had to lead by his play since
the performance of the T&T players was less than
inspiring to the dismay of the Soca Warriors fans.
The
Warriors flankers in Keon Daniel and Carlos Edward were
terrible in their defensive coverage with the latter
player having what I consider to be the worst game I
have seen him play. When you add the fact that a number
of the Soca Warriors fans are of the notion that the
Germany World Cup players may be the answer to the
Warriors woes is mindboggling.
Jason Scotland did not do it against Bermuda, Stern John
is not the answer and World Cup player Anthony Wolfe was
substituted for another W-C player Densil Theobald at
halftime in the USA game and there was no significant
difference in Wolfe’s play to Theobald’s.
Carlos Edwards a player of the W-C stock has not been
playing up to his capabilities and with his awful
performance from the start to the end of the USA game
one would have to wonder if he is bothered by an injury
or the fact that he was replaced at the half in the
Guatemala game could have hurt his ego and affected his
game physiologically.
Cyd Gray at right back has been given the T&T captaincy
off and on since Aurtis Whitley has been sidelined with
an injury but when you look back at Gray tenure as
captaincy which includes the USA game (in Dwight Yorke’s
absence) it is obvious that he has no noticeable
leadership qualities in his play or otherwise since he
received a red card against Haiti in a friendly and was
out of position for most of the USA game with Edwards
both W-C players.
There
should be no secret that T&T will have to rely on their
young players in moving forward since at this point of
the qualifiers winning may not be a given and the young
players will need to gain experience.
T&T
Aklie Edwards at age 19 was one of the few bright
spots on the Soca Warriors team against USA and since he
is innovative, and more resilient than veteran Avery
John who was out due to injury coach Maturana should
have a no brainer for a decision in the selection of his
left full back for the Guatemala game.
The
territorial advantage was evident from the onset and as
a result the USA defense was under pressure from the
opening whistle. T&T striker Jason Scotland sharp turns
and quick acceleration created several anxious moments
around the USA net but with no scoring to create any
momentum due to the lack of enthusiasm and inexperience
of the Soca Warriors supporters in regards to creating
any home advantage.
I
thought that T&T midfielders on the flanks in Carlos
Edwards and Keon Daniel did not put enough pressure on
the USA defense in the first half and were a bit slow of
the mark which resulted in both of them having trouble
getting to the bye line on a regular to serve the cross
balls that was required.
USA
remained on track to progress to the final round of six
with a comfortable 3-0 win domination of Trinidad and
Tobago at Toyota Park in Bridgeview Chicago, while
Mexico and Costa Rica defeated Canada and Haiti 2-1 and
3-1 respectively to approach the home stretch leading
their group races with straight road ahead to the final
round.
Meanwhile
the Simoes fever has hit Trinidad and Tobago and some
Soca Warriors fans have been calling for the firing of
coach Francisco Maturana after T&T has dropped into
third place in Group 1 behind USA and Guatemala since
Guatemala defeated Cuba 4-1 and moved into second on
virtue of their goal difference. 
The
Warriors flankers in Keon Daniel and Carlos Edward were
terrible in their defensive coverage with the latter
player having what I consider to be the worst game I
have seen him play. When you add the fact that a number
of the Soca Warriors fans are of the notion that the
Germany World Cup players may be the answer to the
Warriors woes is mindboggling.
There
should be no secret that T&T will have to rely on their
young players in moving forward since at this point of
the qualifiers winning may not be a given and the young
players will need to gain experience. 
