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Gold fever hits CONCACAF
(FIFA.com) Monday 4 June 2007
Wednesday marks the start of the ninth instalment of the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup - the region's international championship. Running from 6 to 24 June in six cities across the USA, the competition, once called the CONCACAF Championship but re-named the Gold Cup in 1991, will feature 12 teams as varied as the tiny French Caribbean holding of Guadalupe to mighty four-time champions Mexico and holders and hosts USA.
The favourites
With four Gold Cup titles to their name, Mexico will be considered one of the top contenders at these finals. With head coach and former El Tri playing legend Hugo Sanchez leading a side built with entertainment in mind (Adolfo 'Bofo' Bautista, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Rafa Marquez have all been in included) the Mexicans will be one to watch in the States this June. Not to be ignored are defending champions USA. After edging plucky Panama on penalties in the 2005 edition, new boss Bob Bradley is bringing a side to the finals loaded with overseas talent and domestic-standouts. Former Tico playing star Hernan Medford will also be keen on steering Central American champions Costa Rica to new glories with the likes of top all-time scorer Rolando Fonseca and Alonso Solis plugging into the leader roles after the retirement of iconic Paulo Wanchope.
The hopefuls
Crowned champions of the Caribbean for the first time back in late January, island hopefuls Haiti will be capable of causing a sensation in the States. With the deck stacked against them due to political and social strife on the island, the neutral fans are bound to be behind the talented and tough tackling Haitians too. Coached by Luis Amelio Garcia, Haiti will be hoping to make a mark in only their third appearance at a Gold Cup and counting on the likes of Nantes man Jean-Jacques Pierre to lead the charge. Canada - shock Gold Cup winners in 2001 - are looking to stunt a recent trend of underperforming with Dwayne De Rosario, Atiba Hutchinson and Deportivo la Coruna standout Julian DeGuzman in the squad. Guatemala, too, who only just missed out on a spot at Germany 2006 will be fancying their chances with the likes of MLS ace marksman Carlos 'El Pescadito' Ruiz in attack while Trinidad & Tobago, 2005 finalists Panama and 1991 finalists Honduras arrive in the USA with their best sides in years.
The outsiders
One of the tremendous sensations of the qualifying rounds was the run of tiny Caribbean islanders Guadeloupe. Technically an overseas department of France, the island of 436,000 inhabitants use the Euro as their official currency. But among the clutch of talented but anonymous amateurs that make up the 'national' team is one name not to be overlooked. Former France, PSG, Marseilles, Inter and Valencia midfielder Jocelyn Angloma - now 41 - was born in Abymes on the island and is eligible to line up. Though advanced in years, his play in the qualifiers was nothing short of stellar and the side's hopes will be pinned on his broad shoulders. Two-time quarter-finalists El Salvador and a Lester More-inspired Cuba, known perennially for their technical ability but often wanting in the organisational side of things, round out the field and will be hoping for increased respect and unexpected results.
The winner of the 2007 Gold Cup will go on to represent CONCACAF on the world stage at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
2007 CONCACAF Groups - 6-13 June:
Group A:
Costa Rica
Canada
Haiti
Guadeloupe
Group B:
USA
Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago
El Salvador
Group C:
Mexico
Honduras
Panama
Cuba
Quarter-finals
16 and 16 June
Semi-finals
21 June
Final
24 June
(FIFA.com) Monday 4 June 2007
Wednesday marks the start of the ninth instalment of the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup - the region's international championship. Running from 6 to 24 June in six cities across the USA, the competition, once called the CONCACAF Championship but re-named the Gold Cup in 1991, will feature 12 teams as varied as the tiny French Caribbean holding of Guadalupe to mighty four-time champions Mexico and holders and hosts USA.
The favourites
With four Gold Cup titles to their name, Mexico will be considered one of the top contenders at these finals. With head coach and former El Tri playing legend Hugo Sanchez leading a side built with entertainment in mind (Adolfo 'Bofo' Bautista, Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Rafa Marquez have all been in included) the Mexicans will be one to watch in the States this June. Not to be ignored are defending champions USA. After edging plucky Panama on penalties in the 2005 edition, new boss Bob Bradley is bringing a side to the finals loaded with overseas talent and domestic-standouts. Former Tico playing star Hernan Medford will also be keen on steering Central American champions Costa Rica to new glories with the likes of top all-time scorer Rolando Fonseca and Alonso Solis plugging into the leader roles after the retirement of iconic Paulo Wanchope.
The hopefuls
Crowned champions of the Caribbean for the first time back in late January, island hopefuls Haiti will be capable of causing a sensation in the States. With the deck stacked against them due to political and social strife on the island, the neutral fans are bound to be behind the talented and tough tackling Haitians too. Coached by Luis Amelio Garcia, Haiti will be hoping to make a mark in only their third appearance at a Gold Cup and counting on the likes of Nantes man Jean-Jacques Pierre to lead the charge. Canada - shock Gold Cup winners in 2001 - are looking to stunt a recent trend of underperforming with Dwayne De Rosario, Atiba Hutchinson and Deportivo la Coruna standout Julian DeGuzman in the squad. Guatemala, too, who only just missed out on a spot at Germany 2006 will be fancying their chances with the likes of MLS ace marksman Carlos 'El Pescadito' Ruiz in attack while Trinidad & Tobago, 2005 finalists Panama and 1991 finalists Honduras arrive in the USA with their best sides in years.
The outsiders
One of the tremendous sensations of the qualifying rounds was the run of tiny Caribbean islanders Guadeloupe. Technically an overseas department of France, the island of 436,000 inhabitants use the Euro as their official currency. But among the clutch of talented but anonymous amateurs that make up the 'national' team is one name not to be overlooked. Former France, PSG, Marseilles, Inter and Valencia midfielder Jocelyn Angloma - now 41 - was born in Abymes on the island and is eligible to line up. Though advanced in years, his play in the qualifiers was nothing short of stellar and the side's hopes will be pinned on his broad shoulders. Two-time quarter-finalists El Salvador and a Lester More-inspired Cuba, known perennially for their technical ability but often wanting in the organisational side of things, round out the field and will be hoping for increased respect and unexpected results.
The winner of the 2007 Gold Cup will go on to represent CONCACAF on the world stage at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.
2007 CONCACAF Groups - 6-13 June:
Group A:
Costa Rica
Canada
Haiti
Guadeloupe
Group B:
USA
Guatemala
Trinidad & Tobago
El Salvador
Group C:
Mexico
Honduras
Panama
Cuba
Quarter-finals
16 and 16 June
Semi-finals
21 June
Final
24 June