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Jamaica's Reggae Boyz kept the party going on Wednesday, beating Honduras in Kingston 1-0. The result, coupled with their shock home win over Mexico at the weekend, sees them right back in the running for a place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying from a wide-open Group 2.
The predictably physical affair was decided by a goal from Luton Shelton after 16 minutes. Honduras, despite great effort, were unable to find a foothold in the game and Jamaica move up to seven points in North, Central American and Caribbean Group 2, a pair of points behind the Hondurans with one game to go against already eliminated Canada.
An under-strength and already qualified USA lost their first game of the qualifying campaign to Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The ‘little magician' Russell Latapy, back from retirement at the ripe old age of 40, scored the first goal. Charlie Davis then drew the States level with a quarter of an hour left, but a Dwight Yorke penalty in the 70th minute saw the islanders win the day 2-1.
Trinidad are now on eight points, three ahead of Guatemala with one game to go. The Chapines did themselves no favours in the hunt for the second and final spot from Group 1, losing out to previously pointless (and already eliminated) Cuba 2-1 in Havana.
Jaime Colome opened the scoring for the Cubans just before the interval with a well-taken penalty kick. Marco Papa drew the visitors level with eleven minutes to go, but the crowd erupted in the 87th minute when Allianni struck to seal Cuba's first win of the campaign. The defeat leaves Guatemala in trouble, on five points with one game (against USA on the road) to go, while Trinidad, thanks to their win, are on eight points with a home fixture against Cuba remaining.
Mexico failed to get the win they needed to assure themselves passage to the final round of qualifying with one game to go, drawing 2-2 in a titanic contest in Edmonton against already eliminated - but gritty - Canada. Ali Gerba opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a stunning strike, but Carlos Salcido's deflected free kick made it 1-1 before the half. The second period was played at a break-neck pace and Gerbi set up Tomasz Radzinksi for a classy goal in the 50th minute before Mexico finally nailed down a share of the spoils with a Matias Vuoso strike in the 64th minute.
The result has Mexico on ten points in Group 2, Honduras on nine and Jamaica on seven. Next month will be the moment of truth as the Jamaicans host Canada and Mexico travel to Honduras still not sure of progressing to the final ‘hexagonal' round
The predictably physical affair was decided by a goal from Luton Shelton after 16 minutes. Honduras, despite great effort, were unable to find a foothold in the game and Jamaica move up to seven points in North, Central American and Caribbean Group 2, a pair of points behind the Hondurans with one game to go against already eliminated Canada.
An under-strength and already qualified USA lost their first game of the qualifying campaign to Trinidad and Tobago in Port of Spain. The ‘little magician' Russell Latapy, back from retirement at the ripe old age of 40, scored the first goal. Charlie Davis then drew the States level with a quarter of an hour left, but a Dwight Yorke penalty in the 70th minute saw the islanders win the day 2-1.
Trinidad are now on eight points, three ahead of Guatemala with one game to go. The Chapines did themselves no favours in the hunt for the second and final spot from Group 1, losing out to previously pointless (and already eliminated) Cuba 2-1 in Havana.
Jaime Colome opened the scoring for the Cubans just before the interval with a well-taken penalty kick. Marco Papa drew the visitors level with eleven minutes to go, but the crowd erupted in the 87th minute when Allianni struck to seal Cuba's first win of the campaign. The defeat leaves Guatemala in trouble, on five points with one game (against USA on the road) to go, while Trinidad, thanks to their win, are on eight points with a home fixture against Cuba remaining.
Mexico failed to get the win they needed to assure themselves passage to the final round of qualifying with one game to go, drawing 2-2 in a titanic contest in Edmonton against already eliminated - but gritty - Canada. Ali Gerba opened the scoring after 12 minutes with a stunning strike, but Carlos Salcido's deflected free kick made it 1-1 before the half. The second period was played at a break-neck pace and Gerbi set up Tomasz Radzinksi for a classy goal in the 50th minute before Mexico finally nailed down a share of the spoils with a Matias Vuoso strike in the 64th minute.
The result has Mexico on ten points in Group 2, Honduras on nine and Jamaica on seven. Next month will be the moment of truth as the Jamaicans host Canada and Mexico travel to Honduras still not sure of progressing to the final ‘hexagonal' round