Mexico beats Guatemala 3-0 to return to U-17 World Cup

April 25, 2009

TIJUANA, Mexico – Kristian Alvarez scored a goal in each half to lead Mexico to a 3-0 win against Guatemala on Friday, clinching a berth in the CONCCACAF U-17 Championship semifinals and returning El Tri to the World Cup for the first time since it was crowned champion in 2005.

Costa Rica helped its chances of joining them in Nigeria in October with a 3-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago in the early match of a Group B doubleheader.

Behind a rowdy sold-out, standing-room crowd, Mexico controlled the possession in the first half and matched Guatemala’s offensive pressure in the final 45 minutes to muster the win. The result ended Mexico’s frustration in age-limited tournaments, having missed out on qualifying for the 2007 U-17 World Cup, the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 U-20 World Cup.

“Mexico has lost some credibility in this region over the years,” Mexico coach Jose Luis Gonzalez said in Spanish. “But things are being done correctly now. Mexico is qualified and we’ve played two solid matches thus far.”
Mexico captain Kristian Alvarez scored in each half and Carlos Campos converted a penalty kick to account for El Tri’s goals.

Both of Alvarez’ goals came via headers off set pieces.

His first came in the 41st minute when he deflected Martin Galvan’s bending free kick and headed it past Guatemala goalkeeper Eddy Garcia.

Galvan’s cross sailed into the penalty area from about 35 yards when Alvarez leaped over a teammate and defender to get enough of the curling ball.

Alvarez scored again in similar fashion 30 minutes later, able to nudge a Campos free kick just enough to direct it into the net.

Campos sealed the scoring with his penalty in the 86th minute after referee Hector Recinos whistled Guatemala defender Daniel Marin for a foul on Efren Mendoza.

Guatemala showed a different face in the second half, often pressuring Mexico and moving up its lines. It was a change of pace compared to the first half, enabling it to match Mexico on shots on goal with eight apiece.

Most of the first half was played on Guatemala’s side with Mexico pressing and Guatemala looking to counter..

El Tri sent a flurry of shots toward Garcia’s goal to no avail until Alvarez’s header connected.

Gil Cordero and Victor Mañon had clear opportunities, both shooting from distance in the 25th minute.

Cordero’s shot bounced near the right post and Mañon’s right-footed blast shaved the left post.

“It took a while but we finally were able to take advantage with our free kicks,” Mañon said. “We showed that with the first two goals.”

But perhaps Mexico’s clearest chance came in the 38th minute, when Erick Vera sent what looked like a floating cross that hit the crossbar.

Mexico will close group play against Costa Rica, who eliminated Trinidad and Tobago with the early result.

Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell scored his second goal of the tournament, Rosbin Mayorga and Juan Bustos added a goal each in the first half to help the Ticos to four points.

The Ticos dominated possession in the opening half with a one-touch scheme, often catching Trinidad and Tobago’s defense flat.

Costa Rica capitalized in the 14th minute when Campbell sent a right-footed shot past Trinidad goalkeeper John Thomas from 30 yards.

Costa Rica also scored from close range.

Bustos sent a loose ball into the net in the 18th minute from near the penalty spot after a Trinidad and Tobago defender botched a clearance attempt.

Mayorga’s goal also was from inside the area, tapping in a filtered ball from Bustos in the 37th started with a rolling ball from Cambpell.

Trinidad pressured Costa Rica on several occasions in the second half but couldn’t convert.

Trinidad’s clearest opportunity came in the 57th minute when Ryan McLeod deflected a Dillon Kirton corner kick, heading it over the cross bar.

Coach Anton Corneal’s team had eight shots in the second half compared to Costa Rica’s six but the Ticos were too much in the opening half where they out-shot their opponent 10-3.

Costa Rica sits in second place behind Mexico while Guatemala needs a win against Trinidad and Tobago in the final group match to have a chance at advancing.

By Ivan Orozco

Go to Source

Share and Enjoy: