South Africa 2010 may seem just around the corner for football fans in certain continents and qualifying regions but here in the Concacaf (Central American, Caribbean and North American) region the tale takes a further twist with teams fighting it out for a place in the 4th Round. Guatemala, Canada, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and Surinam are out, only six remain.
Freddy Adu Nets His First
The already qualified USA fielded a young and relatively inexperienced side in Colorado in a match which saw Freddy Adu open his international account in their 2-0 win over Guatemala. In Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago saw off Cuba 3-0 in a routine win. Most striking about this last fixture is that veteran striker, the 37 year old Dwight Yorke netted a goal in this his sixth World Cup qualifying campaign.
Mexico Stumble Through
The most interesting fixtures of the final games in round 3 were undoubtedly in Group 2 where a struggling Mexico under beleaguered coach Sven Goran Eriksson again failed to deliver in San Pedro Sula. Mexico fell 1-0 to a Ricardo Osorio own goal and ended the ill-tempered affair with only nine players on the pitch with both Gerrardo Torrado and substitute Carlos Vela sent off. Results did not go Jamaica’s way since they needed the Mexicans to beat Honduras as they would beat Canada. On goal difference alone the Mexican team survives to fight the next round.
Costa Rica Win Again
Costa Rica had already clinched their place in the final round some time ago and walked a 3-1 away win at the closest rivals El Salvador’s expense. With their remarkable taly of 18 points teh Ticos are clear favourites to progress top to South Africa from the Concacaf region.
The Games for Round 4
As yet we do not have the schedule for the final round robin set of games between the remaining 6 teams as the draw is to be made in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday November 22.
The Final Results
Group 1
USA 2-0 Guatemala
Trinidad 3-0 Cuba
Group 2
Honduras 1–0 Mexico
Jamaica 3- 0 Canada
Group 3
Surinam 1-1 Haiti
El Salvador 1–3 Costa Rica
Final Group Standings For Round 3
Group 1 Pts
USA * 15
Trinidad and Tobago * 11
Guatemala 5
Cuba 3
Group 2 Pts
Honduras * 12
Mexico * 10
Jamaica 10
Canada 2
Group 3 Pts
Costa Rica * 18
El Salvador *10
Haiti 3
Suriname 2
What Next for the Losers?
The Guatemalans will be ruing missed opportunities while a resurgent Jamaica, under the watchful coaching eye of John Barnes, will begin restructuring for the future. Team Canada will look to its overseas based players for future games and Haiti, Cuba and Surinam will continue battling away.
