MIAMI: Mexico, Costa Rica, the United States, Jamaica, Panama and Honduras will meet in the Final Round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying after the conclusion of third round action.

Group A

Friday – October 12, 2012

Antigua and Barbuda 1, United States 2

In North Sound, Eddie Johnson scored twice in his first game back with the United States after a nearly two-year absence, to give the Americans a 2-1 win over Antigua & Barbuda. The Seattle Sounders forward put the visitors ahead in 20th minute, but Nottingham Forest’s Dexter Blackstock equalized five minutes later. With time elapsing, Johnson broke the stalemate, heading in Alan Gordon’s cross. The win lifted the U.S. to 10 points, while the defeat eliminated Antigua & Barbuda from contention.

Guatemala 2, Jamaica 1

In Guatemala City, Carlos Ruiz scored with a header in the 85th minute and gave Guatemala a 2-1 victory over Jamaica. The home side took the lead in the 16th minute when Carlos Figueroa sent a chip over goalkeeper Dwayne Miller from nine meters. The Reggae Boyz were able to equalize with a penalty by Luton Shelton in the 61st minute, setting up Ruiz’s late heroics. The victory gave Guatemala 10 points and a share of the Group A lead with the United States – three points more than Jamaica.

Tuesday – October 16, 2012

United States 3, Guatemala 1

In Kansas City, Kansas, Tottenham’s Clint Dempsey scored in the 18th and 36th minutes to rally the United States to a 3-1 win over Guatemala and move it into the final CONCACAF round of World Cup qualifying. The Americans won the CONCACAF semifinal round Group A title with 13 points, three more than Guatemala, which finished third and was eliminated. Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz put the visitors ahead in the 5th minute. The United States, however, equalized five minutes later through Carlos Bocanegra.

Jamaica 4, Antigua and Barbuda 1

In Kingston, Dane Richards netted twice in the final 12 minutes, completing Jamaica’s 4-1 victory over Antigua & Barbuda and providing the goals necessary to send the Reggae Boyz into the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Richards struck first in the 78th and added a finale 10 minutes later. Demar Phillips (16′) and Nyron Nosworthy (18′) scored two minutes apart in the opening half to give the host an early 2-0 lead. Quinton Griffith (61′) scored Antigua’s lone goal. Though even in the standings with Guatemala (10 points), Jamaica advanced on goal difference (+3 to +1).

Group B

Friday October 12, 2012

Guyana 0, Mexico 5

In Houston, Texas, Group B leader Mexico scored five times in the final 12 minutes to subdue Guyana 5-0 and formally eliminate the Caribbean side from CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. El Tri hit the post three times before finally capitalizing when Andres Guardado scored in the 78th minute. Oribe Peralta (79′), a Charles Pollard own-goal (82′), Javier Hernández (84′), Ángel Reyna (86′) added to the final margin of victory on a night when the Guyanese gamely battled before finally succumbing.

El Salvador 0, Costa Rica 1

In San Salvador, Costa Rica came away with a valuable 1-0 road victory over El Salvador, moving two points ahead of its Central American rival for the final berth from Group B with one match to play. Jose Cubero scored in the 32nd minute and El Salvador finished the match with nine men after both Eliseo Quintanilla and Alfredo Pacheco were ejected. The result left Costa Rica in 2nd place with seven points, eight behind Mexico – already assured of advancing, but two ahead of the Cuscatlecos.

Tuesday – October 16, 2012

Mexico 2, El Salvador 0

In Torreon, Mexico completed its perfect run through Group B of the semifinal round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, ending El Salvador’s dreams with a 2-0 victory. Oribe Peralta (64′) and Javier Hernández (85′) scored in the second half to hand Mexico its sixth win as many games. The defeat at Estadio Corona – combined with Costa Rica’s 7-0 victory over Guyana in San José – eliminated El Salvador from contention for a berth in the final round.

Costa Rica 7, Guyana 0

In San Jose, Randall Brenes (10′, 48′) and Alvaro Saborio (51′ pen, 77′) scored two goals each and led Costa Rica’s 7-0 victory over Guyana on Tuesday that confirmed the Ticos’ passage into the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Cristian Gamboa (14′), Cristian Bolanos (61′) and Celso Borges (70′) also had goals for the Ticos. Costa Rica finished in second place with 10 points in Group B, eight behind Mexico and five ahead of El Salvador.

Group C

Friday – October 12, 2012

Canada 3, Cuba 0

In Toronto, Canada boosted its bid to advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, scoring twice in a six-minute span during the second half to defeat Cuba, 3-0. Goals from Will Johnson (73′) and David Edgar (78′) added the insurance to Tosaint Ricketts’ 14th minute strike to give Canada 10 points in Group C.

Panama 0, Honduras 0

In Panama City, Honduras held Panama to a 0-0 draw, leaving both in position to advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The result left Panama and Canada atop Group C with 10 points each, but with the Canaleros ahead on goal difference. Honduras was two points behind with all three teams having one match remaining.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Honduras 8, Canada 1

In San Pedro Sula, Honduras advanced to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with an 8-1 victory over Canada, getting three goals each from Jerry Bengtson (7′, 17′, 83′) and Carlo Costly (29′, 48′, 89′) to eliminate the North Americans. The Catrachos captured the top spot in Group C with 11 points, ahead on goal difference in front of Panama. Canada was third with 10 points. Mario Martinez (33′, 62′) netted a brace for the host, while Iain Hume contributed Canada’s only goal.

Cuba 1, Panama 1

In Havana, Nelson Barahona scored in the 77th minute to give Panama a 1-1 draw with Cuba and send it to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. The result improved Panama to 11 points in Group C, just behind Honduras on goal difference. Alberto Gomez scored Cuba’s first goal in nine matches in the 38th minute.

 

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