|
Jamaica waited until the 89th minute at Nicaragua but finally found the crucial goal for a 2-0 win that kept them alive in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying on Tuesday. The Reggae Boyz, fresh off making the final of the Gold Cup, came all the way back after dropping into a three-goal hole in their home leg to advance 4-3 on aggregate. Jamaica had managed to cut Nicaragua's lead to 3-2 by the end of last week's first leg, and Darren Mattocks' 13th-minute opener in the second leg put Jamaica back on the right foot. But they would still have gone out on goal difference if Simon Dawkins hadn't scored on a powerful volley in the centre of the box, just one minute from time. Jamaica will join Costa Rica and Panama in Group B in the fourth round, along with Haiti, who controlled Grenada 3-0 in their home leg to advance 6-1 on aggregate. Wilde-Donald Guerrier, Duckens Nazon and Kervens Belfort Fils provided the goals for the Haitians. Canada managed a 1-1 draw at Belize to advance 4-1 on aggregate. Deon McCaulay's 25th-minute goal gave the hosts hope that they may be able to erase Canada's three-goal advantage, but Will Johnson's goal just before half-time made the second half comfortable. Jonathan Barrios scored in the ninth minute as El Salvador ended Curacao's Cinderella dreams with a 1-0 victory to go through 2-0 on aggregate. Canada and El Salvador will join Mexico and Honduras in the fourth round. Guatemala turned around a first-leg deficit to defeat Antigua and Barbuda 2-0 for a 2-1 aggregate win. Carlos Ruiz and Dennis Lopez scored in the second half, and Guatemala held on as conceding one goal would have seen their opponents go through in their place. St. Vincent and the Grenadines fought off a comeback by Aruba and advanced 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg. A Erixon Danso brace erased St. Vincent's lead from the first leg and the tie appeared headed for extra time before Tevin Slater scored for the visitors six minutes from time. Guatemela and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will join the United States and Trinidad and Tobago in Group C when play resumes in November. CONCACAF World Cup qualifying fourth-round: Group A: Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Canada
Group B: Costa Rica, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica
Group C: United States, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guatemala
|
