Canada, Costa Rica reach Gold Cup quarters
MIAMI: Canada clinched the top spot in its group at the CONCACAF Gold Cup by drawing 2-2 with Costa Rica on Friday.
The result gave Canada seven points in Group A, after prior wins over Jamaica and El Salvador, ad advanced to the quarterfinals.
Costa Rica, which finished on four points, also reached the last eight after Jamaica beat El Salvador 1-0 later Friday.
"It was a well-played match," Costa Rica coach Rodrigo Kenton said.
"We got careless for a 10-minute period, but overall both teams played well. "Congratulations to Canada."
Costa Rica struck first through striker Andy Herron in the 22nd minute.
Canada goalkeeper Greg Sutton sent a goal kick upfield, where Costa Rica's Armando Alonso headed it to an open Herron on the right wing.
Herron dribbled unmarked to Canada's penalty area, where he flicked a shot past the onrushing Sutton.
Canada responded with two goals in the next 4 minutes.
Midfielder Patrice Bernier struck in the 23rd minute, receiving a Josh Simpson pass from the left and beating goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez with a shot from just outside the 6-yard box.
Midfielder Marcel De Jong put Canada ahead in impressive style in the 27th.
De Jong pounced on a loose ball, dribbled 5 yards and blasted a shot from 25 yards that went inside the left post.
Costa Rica midfielder Walter Centeno equalized with a swerving free kick above a wall of defenders 7 minutes later.
Costa Rica twice came close to a late winner. In the 75th, Celso Borges' shot was deflected wide by Canada defender Jaime Peter, stationed on a post.
Eight minutes later, Walter Centeno's header sailed above the crossbar.
"The guys played their hearts out," Canada defender Andrew Hainault said.
"We're happy with the result. To come out first in the group, nobody expected us to do this." - AP
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1 comment:
This years CONCACAF sounds to be a tough one for the toppers like USA, Mexico & Canada as the groupings were done in such a way.
Joining the US and Canada in Group C of the Gold Cup are Panama and Guadeloupe. Defending Gold Cup champions Mexico, were drawn into a rough Group A alongside Costa Rica, El Salvador and Cuba. Canada was slotted into Group C alongside arch-rivals USA.
All three CONCACAF World Cup teams, United States, Mexico and Honduras, will participate in the tournament along with quality challengers Jamaica, Costa Rica and Canada.
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