Canada deny Mexico in WC qualifiers
Friday, 17 October 2008
EDMONTON, Canada, Oct 16 (AFP): Determined Canada denied Mexico the victory they needed to advance in 2010 World Cup qualifying Wednesday, emerging with a 2-2 draw against one of the CONCACAF region's powerhouses.
While Canada went into the match already eliminated from contention for the six-nation final round of qualifying in the North and Central American and Caribbean zone, Mexico took the field knowing that Group B rivals Jamaica were beating Honduras.
The Reggae Boyz duly claimed a 1-0 triumph in Kingston with a goal from Luton Shelton.
Meanwhile Mexico, despite rallying twice, couldn't get the victory - setting up a three-way battle for two berths from Group B in the final round when the semi-finals conclude on November 19.
Ali Gerba opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but it was 1-1 at halftime after Canadian Patrice Bernier deflected a free kick from Carlos Salcido into his own goal.
Tomazs Radzinski put Canada up again with a 49th-minute strike, before naturalised Argentinian Vicente Matias Vuoso again equalised for Mexico.
Salcido's long pass found Giovani Dos Santos on the left, and his crisp cross was headed home by Vuoso for his first goal for his adopted country.
Canada still had the opportunity to win it late, as Paul Stalteri rattled a shot off the crossbar and Radzinski put one just wide.
The draw gave Group B leaders Mexico 10 points, followed by Honduras with nine and Jamaica with seven.
While Canada went into the match already eliminated from contention for the six-nation final round of qualifying in the North and Central American and Caribbean zone, Mexico took the field knowing that Group B rivals Jamaica were beating Honduras.
The Reggae Boyz duly claimed a 1-0 triumph in Kingston with a goal from Luton Shelton.
Meanwhile Mexico, despite rallying twice, couldn't get the victory - setting up a three-way battle for two berths from Group B in the final round when the semi-finals conclude on November 19.
Ali Gerba opened the scoring in the 12th minute, but it was 1-1 at halftime after Canadian Patrice Bernier deflected a free kick from Carlos Salcido into his own goal.
Tomazs Radzinski put Canada up again with a 49th-minute strike, before naturalised Argentinian Vicente Matias Vuoso again equalised for Mexico.
Salcido's long pass found Giovani Dos Santos on the left, and his crisp cross was headed home by Vuoso for his first goal for his adopted country.
Canada still had the opportunity to win it late, as Paul Stalteri rattled a shot off the crossbar and Radzinski put one just wide.
The draw gave Group B leaders Mexico 10 points, followed by Honduras with nine and Jamaica with seven.