A grand total of two shots on goal. That includes both American and Panamanian shots - although it should be mentioned that the two mentioned above were both American - and thus it becomes clear that the Gold Cup final this year was a most cagey affair.
The hosts kept pressing for the win, and Panama kept defending, for most of the match.
United States had by far the most possession of the ball, and both Landon Donovan (at 0-0) and Eddie Johnson (at 1-0) missed huge opportunities to score. Both forwards placed the ball wide of goal, so they're not included in the two on-goal chances.
To their credit, Panama players did a great job of blocking persistent American attacks, but were never a dangerous attacking force, not even at 0-1.
And they had no clear chances of scoring.
Klinsmann (who was banned from sitting on the bench, due to the incident during the Honduras semifinal) and his coaching staff performed an excellent switch when they introduced Brek Shea, in the 68th minute.
42 seconds later, a weak diagonal cross was missed by every Panamanian defender, as well as by Landon Donovan, who was inches (or cm, if you will,) away from touching it, and the substitute was there to push it in cleanly, one meter away from Panama's goal line.
How the Panamanians, who had defended almost flawlessly prior to that, failed so abjectly in blocking a seemingly inoffensive ball is to be analyzed on many sports shows, for sure.
But, as unexpected and auspicious as the goal was, the fact remains that that was the only well-taken chance of a long tactical battle between the two squads, and it will remain in history as the winner of the 2013 Gold Cup.
Brek Shea had also scored the only goal in the United States - Costa Rica match, on July 16. And he was a substitute in that match, as well.
So, The United States wins their 5th Gold Cup. First since 2007.
Mexico still leads, with 6.
Next Gold Cup is to take place in 2015.
Highlights:
Monday 29 July 2013
Sunday 28 July 2013
2013.07.28 - The Result
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Final
22:00 -- United States - Panama 1-0 highlights
69' Brek Shea
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Luzern - FC Zurich 3-2 (2-0)
13:45 -- Grasshopper - Aarau 0-1 (0-1)
16:00 -- Young Boys Bern - Thun 3-2 highlights
[0-1] 25' Josef Martinez
[0-2] 35' Marco Schneuwly
[1-2] 53' Yuya Kubo
[2-2] 64' Yuya Kubo
[3-2] 77' Moreno Costanzo
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 3 3 0 0 8-3 +5 9p
2 Grasshopper 3 2 1 0 7-3 +4 7p
3 Basel 3 2 1 0 6-2 +4 7p
22:00 -- United States - Panama 1-0 highlights
69' Brek Shea
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Luzern - FC Zurich 3-2 (2-0)
13:45 -- Grasshopper - Aarau 0-1 (0-1)
16:00 -- Young Boys Bern - Thun 3-2 highlights
[0-1] 25' Josef Martinez
[0-2] 35' Marco Schneuwly
[1-2] 53' Yuya Kubo
[2-2] 64' Yuya Kubo
[3-2] 77' Moreno Costanzo
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 3 3 0 0 8-3 +5 9p
2 Grasshopper 3 2 1 0 7-3 +4 7p
3 Basel 3 2 1 0 6-2 +4 7p
Saturday 27 July 2013
2013.07.27 - The Results
SWITZERLAND: Super League
19:45 -- Basel - Lausanne 2-0
32' Fabian Schar (pen.)
81' Marco Streller
19:45 -- Grasshopper - Aarau 4-2 highlights
[1-0] 5' Izet Hajrovic
[1-1] 13' Artur Ionita
[1-2] 31' Remo Staubli
[2-2] 49' Izet Hajrovic
[3-2] 74' Nassim Ben Khalifa
[4-2] 85' Shkelzen Gashi
Current standings:
1 Grasshopper 3 2 1 0 7-3 +4 7p
2 Basel 3 2 1 0 6-2 +4 7p
3 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
19:45 -- Basel - Lausanne 2-0
32' Fabian Schar (pen.)
81' Marco Streller
19:45 -- Grasshopper - Aarau 4-2 highlights
[1-0] 5' Izet Hajrovic
[1-1] 13' Artur Ionita
[1-2] 31' Remo Staubli
[2-2] 49' Izet Hajrovic
[3-2] 74' Nassim Ben Khalifa
[4-2] 85' Shkelzen Gashi
Current standings:
1 Grasshopper 3 2 1 0 7-3 +4 7p
2 Basel 3 2 1 0 6-2 +4 7p
3 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
Thursday 25 July 2013
Surprising, or Not So Much?
No Mexico in the Gold Cup final?
That would probably constitute a surprise, under normal circumstances.
But given the squad Mexico brought to this year's competition it's not really such a big surprise that they lost to Panama. Twice.
There's only one positive thing, which is that the Mexican forwards got some saves - two - out of Panamanian goalkeeper Penedo (who has not saved much in this tournament until now).
As a matter of fact, talking about the second save, Isaac Brizuela should really have scored with that chip of his (in minute 80).
Even though he had milliseconds to shoot, he was alone with the keeper. That would have made it 2-2.
But, seeing as how he is a reserve player, people won't be too harsh on him.
It should have been Chicharito there, not Brizuela.
Mexico's defense disappointed, too.
Everyone was left stunned when Ramon Torres scored his header, 16 minutes into the second half.
But, in all honesty, United States and Panama have been the two best teams in this tournament.
And the only two unbeaten.
So, the final USA - Panama makes sense more than the Mexicans might like to admit.
Highlights:
That would probably constitute a surprise, under normal circumstances.
But given the squad Mexico brought to this year's competition it's not really such a big surprise that they lost to Panama. Twice.
There's only one positive thing, which is that the Mexican forwards got some saves - two - out of Panamanian goalkeeper Penedo (who has not saved much in this tournament until now).
As a matter of fact, talking about the second save, Isaac Brizuela should really have scored with that chip of his (in minute 80).
Even though he had milliseconds to shoot, he was alone with the keeper. That would have made it 2-2.
But, seeing as how he is a reserve player, people won't be too harsh on him.
It should have been Chicharito there, not Brizuela.
Mexico's defense disappointed, too.
Everyone was left stunned when Ramon Torres scored his header, 16 minutes into the second half.
But, in all honesty, United States and Panama have been the two best teams in this tournament.
And the only two unbeaten.
So, the final USA - Panama makes sense more than the Mexicans might like to admit.
Highlights:
Five out of Five
The United States of America national football team won again.
The win against Honduras makes it 5 wins out of 5 matches played. (And they also won 4 of those 5 by more than one goal difference.)
Jurgen Klinsmann is doing good things with this team.
They're scoring a lot of goals, too: 19 already, before the final.
Honduras was not the easiest team to defeat, either. Let's remember that, in World Cup qualifying, Honduras inflicted the only defeat USA suffered thus far in the group-of-six final round-robin.
Landon Donovan got two goals, on the night of his 150th cap, which puts him right up there with Chris Wondolowski; both strikers have scored five.
The result is thoroughly deserved, too. I'm sure most people wouldn't argue.
Also, another plus for United States in this competition is the way in which they respond to surprise conceded goals. (And they've let in at least one goal in every match, except for the Costa Rica one.) They always score again.
Who knows what could have happened if they had not made it 3-1 right after the Hondurans pulled one back?
So, The United States is the clear favourite for the final. But Panama should be a fine opponent, especially now that they can almost touch the trophy.
Highlights:
The win against Honduras makes it 5 wins out of 5 matches played. (And they also won 4 of those 5 by more than one goal difference.)
Jurgen Klinsmann is doing good things with this team.
They're scoring a lot of goals, too: 19 already, before the final.
Honduras was not the easiest team to defeat, either. Let's remember that, in World Cup qualifying, Honduras inflicted the only defeat USA suffered thus far in the group-of-six final round-robin.
Landon Donovan got two goals, on the night of his 150th cap, which puts him right up there with Chris Wondolowski; both strikers have scored five.
The result is thoroughly deserved, too. I'm sure most people wouldn't argue.
Also, another plus for United States in this competition is the way in which they respond to surprise conceded goals. (And they've let in at least one goal in every match, except for the Costa Rica one.) They always score again.
Who knows what could have happened if they had not made it 3-1 right after the Hondurans pulled one back?
So, The United States is the clear favourite for the final. But Panama should be a fine opponent, especially now that they can almost touch the trophy.
Highlights:
Wednesday 24 July 2013
2013.07.24 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Semifinals
01:00 -- United States - Honduras 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 11' Eddie Johnson
[2-0] 27' Landon Donovan
[2-1] 52' Nery Olvin Medina Norales
[3-1] 54' Landon Donovan
04:00 -- Panama - Mexico 2-1 highlights
[1-0] 13' Blas Perez
[1-1] 26' Luis Montes
[2-1] 61'Roman Torres
01:00 -- United States - Honduras 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 11' Eddie Johnson
[2-0] 27' Landon Donovan
[2-1] 52' Nery Olvin Medina Norales
[3-1] 54' Landon Donovan
04:00 -- Panama - Mexico 2-1 highlights
[1-0] 13' Blas Perez
[1-1] 26' Luis Montes
[2-1] 61'Roman Torres
Monday 22 July 2013
From Best Defense to Worst Attack
For more than 260 minutes, Costa Rica had conceded zero goals.
After the Honduras loss on the third matchday, they even had the best defense in the competition.
But, after they missed that big chance against The United States and Shea scored on the counter-attack, Los Ticos completely lost their good form.
Not only did they end up losing the match to the Americans, but they scored zero goals after that and were eliminated by their opponents in the following round, the very next match.
Honduras, Costa Rica's enemy in the fourth quarter-final, and a team that seems to always eliminate the Costa Ricans when they catch them at the Gold Cup, did not play significantly better, but they had more pragmatic players.
And they scored one unanswered goal, early in the second half, surprising the Ticos and then preventing them from scoring the equalizer.
So, Costa Rica went from having the best defense in the group stage to having the worst attack in their last two matches at the tournament.
Thus, Honduras is now due to face The United States in the first semifinal at the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium on Wednesday.
And the only group left with two participants still in the competition is the one that started the QF stage with two participants to begin with: Group A.
Highlights from Honduras - Costa Rica:
Highlights from United States - Costa Rica:
After the Honduras loss on the third matchday, they even had the best defense in the competition.
But, after they missed that big chance against The United States and Shea scored on the counter-attack, Los Ticos completely lost their good form.
Not only did they end up losing the match to the Americans, but they scored zero goals after that and were eliminated by their opponents in the following round, the very next match.
Honduras, Costa Rica's enemy in the fourth quarter-final, and a team that seems to always eliminate the Costa Ricans when they catch them at the Gold Cup, did not play significantly better, but they had more pragmatic players.
And they scored one unanswered goal, early in the second half, surprising the Ticos and then preventing them from scoring the equalizer.
So, Costa Rica went from having the best defense in the group stage to having the worst attack in their last two matches at the tournament.
Thus, Honduras is now due to face The United States in the first semifinal at the Dallas Cowboys New Stadium on Wednesday.
And the only group left with two participants still in the competition is the one that started the QF stage with two participants to begin with: Group A.
Highlights from Honduras - Costa Rica:
Highlights from United States - Costa Rica:
Sunday 21 July 2013
2013.07.21 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Quarter-Finals
22:00 -- United States - El Salvador 5-1 highlights
[1-0] 21' Clarence Goodson
[2-0] 29' Joe Corona
[2-1] 39' Rodolfo Zelaya (pen.)
[3-1] 60' Eddie Johnson
[4-1] 78' Landon Donovan
[5-1] 83' Mikkel Diskerud
01:00 -- Honduras - Costa Rica 1-0 highlights
49' Andy Najar
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Sion - FC Zurich 0-0
13:45 -- Thun - St. Gallen 3-2 (2-2)
16:00 -- Grasshopper - Basel 1-1 highlights
[0-1] 21' Fabian Schar
[1-1] 49' Izet Hajrovic
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
2 Basel 2 1 1 0 4-2 +2 4p
3 Grasshopper 2 1 1 0 3-1 +2 4p
22:00 -- United States - El Salvador 5-1 highlights
[1-0] 21' Clarence Goodson
[2-0] 29' Joe Corona
[2-1] 39' Rodolfo Zelaya (pen.)
[3-1] 60' Eddie Johnson
[4-1] 78' Landon Donovan
[5-1] 83' Mikkel Diskerud
01:00 -- Honduras - Costa Rica 1-0 highlights
49' Andy Najar
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Sion - FC Zurich 0-0
13:45 -- Thun - St. Gallen 3-2 (2-2)
16:00 -- Grasshopper - Basel 1-1 highlights
[0-1] 21' Fabian Schar
[1-1] 49' Izet Hajrovic
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
2 Basel 2 1 1 0 4-2 +2 4p
3 Grasshopper 2 1 1 0 3-1 +2 4p
Swiss Derby
The two best teams in last year's Super League.
And the best two teams in the history of professional Swiss club football:
FC Basel and Grasshopper Zurich.
Basel won the title last year, and the last four in a row, actually. But Grasshopper leads in terms of titles, 19 over Basel's 16. (The last time Grasshopper won the title, though, was in 2002-2003. And FC Basel has won 7 since then.)
So, while other European leagues haven't even started yet, Swiss league fans are enjoying a huge derby already.
It's still very early in the season to tell, but probably Basel should be reasonably satisfied with the 1-1 draw. Maybe even more so because they went ahead, in the 21st minute, following a corner, courtesy of Fabian Schar.
Izet Hajrovic, top goalscorer in the league right now, with 3 goals scored already, made it 1-1. It was a spectacular effort.
Both Grasshopper Zurich and FC Basel drop to second in the table, two points behind early pacesetters Young Boys Bern.
Highlights:
And the best two teams in the history of professional Swiss club football:
FC Basel and Grasshopper Zurich.
Basel won the title last year, and the last four in a row, actually. But Grasshopper leads in terms of titles, 19 over Basel's 16. (The last time Grasshopper won the title, though, was in 2002-2003. And FC Basel has won 7 since then.)
So, while other European leagues haven't even started yet, Swiss league fans are enjoying a huge derby already.
It's still very early in the season to tell, but probably Basel should be reasonably satisfied with the 1-1 draw. Maybe even more so because they went ahead, in the 21st minute, following a corner, courtesy of Fabian Schar.
Izet Hajrovic, top goalscorer in the league right now, with 3 goals scored already, made it 1-1. It was a spectacular effort.
Both Grasshopper Zurich and FC Basel drop to second in the table, two points behind early pacesetters Young Boys Bern.
Highlights:
Something Wrong with Mexico
Clearly, Mexico is having trouble moving ahead in this year's Gold Cup.
They barely made it past Trinidad and Tobago (who frustrated Mexico for practically the entire match) courtesy of one lucky goal, scored by Raul Jimenez six minutes before the end.
But there's an explanation for this.
Having a look at the squad present at the Gold Cup, versus the squad that was at the Confederations Cup, one can clearly see that the best players are not in the United States right now.
Where are de Nigris, Hernandez, dos Santos, Guardado, Torrado, Ochoa, and others?
Why would Mexico care more about that Confederations Cup? It's a filler tournament.
I guess when they are two Gold Cups ahead of United States, the nearest rival, you start to get cocky...
Still, I have to wonder who made the decision that the first squad would be sent to play in the Confederations Cup, but the Gold Cup would be defended by second-string players.
Maybe the players asked for it, because the clubs don't want them injured, meaning it's a financial/business issue. Otherwise, I find it hard to think that the Mexican football federation would willfully neglect a tournament that is always so good to their national team.
Anyway, now, that they still managed to make it to the semifinals, are they going to manage a better result against Panama than they did in the group stage? That's the question every Mexican fan is asking.
The Panamanians clearly take this competition seriously. If there was any doubt as to their abilities, they put that to rest after getting a better score against Cuba than even The United States did.
Highlights from Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago:
Highlights from Panama - Cuba:
They barely made it past Trinidad and Tobago (who frustrated Mexico for practically the entire match) courtesy of one lucky goal, scored by Raul Jimenez six minutes before the end.
But there's an explanation for this.
Having a look at the squad present at the Gold Cup, versus the squad that was at the Confederations Cup, one can clearly see that the best players are not in the United States right now.
Where are de Nigris, Hernandez, dos Santos, Guardado, Torrado, Ochoa, and others?
Why would Mexico care more about that Confederations Cup? It's a filler tournament.
I guess when they are two Gold Cups ahead of United States, the nearest rival, you start to get cocky...
Still, I have to wonder who made the decision that the first squad would be sent to play in the Confederations Cup, but the Gold Cup would be defended by second-string players.
Maybe the players asked for it, because the clubs don't want them injured, meaning it's a financial/business issue. Otherwise, I find it hard to think that the Mexican football federation would willfully neglect a tournament that is always so good to their national team.
Anyway, now, that they still managed to make it to the semifinals, are they going to manage a better result against Panama than they did in the group stage? That's the question every Mexican fan is asking.
The Panamanians clearly take this competition seriously. If there was any doubt as to their abilities, they put that to rest after getting a better score against Cuba than even The United States did.
Highlights from Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago:
Highlights from Panama - Cuba:
Saturday 20 July 2013
2013.07.20 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Quarter-Finals
21:30 -- Panama - Cuba 6-1 highlights
[0-1] 21' Jose Ciprian
[1-1] 25' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
[2-1] 38' Gabriel Torres
[3-1] 68' Carlos Rodriguez
[4-1] 78' Blas Perez
[5-1] 85' Jairo Jimenez
[6-1] 87' Blas Perez
00:30 -- Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 highlights
84' Raul Jimenez
SWITZERLAND: Super League
19:45 -- Aarau - Luzern 4-2 (4-2)
19:45 -- Lausanne - Young Boys Bern 1-3 (0-3)
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
2 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
3 Grasshopper 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
21:30 -- Panama - Cuba 6-1 highlights
[0-1] 21' Jose Ciprian
[1-1] 25' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
[2-1] 38' Gabriel Torres
[3-1] 68' Carlos Rodriguez
[4-1] 78' Blas Perez
[5-1] 85' Jairo Jimenez
[6-1] 87' Blas Perez
00:30 -- Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 highlights
84' Raul Jimenez
SWITZERLAND: Super League
19:45 -- Aarau - Luzern 4-2 (4-2)
19:45 -- Lausanne - Young Boys Bern 1-3 (0-3)
Current standings:
1 Young Boys 2 2 0 0 5-1 +4 6p
2 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
3 Grasshopper 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
Wednesday 17 July 2013
How Cruel for Martinique!
Who would have thought that either of Cuba or Belize would be able to beat the other by four goals, and qualify?
That's exactly what Cuba did, in an incredible match.
Both teams knew they needed to score four unanswered goals to progress.
They had scored one goal in the previous two matches, both against The States.
And the game against Belize started quite slow, too.
Cuba was pressing more, but no one could have predicted a win by four goals at half-time; even though Cuba was one goal to the good. Ariel Martinez (in minute 38) was the goalscorer.
Even when Cuba went 2-0 up, courtesy of the same alert Martinez, it was still hard to believe Cuba could pull the almost-impossible.
They did struggle, indeed, and they were lucky in the 84th minute. At this point, they could hope.
But there were only 6 minutes left.
Well, you know how the story ends. With a happy ending for the Cubans, and a total demolition of Belize.
But the real loser here was Martinique. They had nothing whatsoever they could do to prevent the disaster, the one practically-last kick of the game by the Cubans leading to the goal which meant Martinique was out.
The only difference between Cuba and Martinique, really, is that Cuba scored 5 goals and Martinique only 2. How costly was that goal they allowed Mexico to score in the 90th minute, for Martinique.
So, now The United States is no longer to play Martinique, because Martinique is out. And they can't play Cuba, of course, because they were in the same group, so they shall play El Salvador. (What an unfortunate change of fortune for El Salvador!) And lucky, inspired Cuba is to face arguably the easiest task of all the minnows, playing against Panama on Saturday.
The winner of Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago will play the winner of Panama - Cuba in the semifinals. And the rest is obvious.
Highlights (from Cuba - Belize):
That's exactly what Cuba did, in an incredible match.
Both teams knew they needed to score four unanswered goals to progress.
They had scored one goal in the previous two matches, both against The States.
And the game against Belize started quite slow, too.
Cuba was pressing more, but no one could have predicted a win by four goals at half-time; even though Cuba was one goal to the good. Ariel Martinez (in minute 38) was the goalscorer.
Even when Cuba went 2-0 up, courtesy of the same alert Martinez, it was still hard to believe Cuba could pull the almost-impossible.
They did struggle, indeed, and they were lucky in the 84th minute. At this point, they could hope.
But there were only 6 minutes left.
Well, you know how the story ends. With a happy ending for the Cubans, and a total demolition of Belize.
But the real loser here was Martinique. They had nothing whatsoever they could do to prevent the disaster, the one practically-last kick of the game by the Cubans leading to the goal which meant Martinique was out.
Final classification of third-placed teams, ahead of last matchday in group C:
1. El Salvador 3 1 1 1 3-3 0 4p
2. Cuba 3 1 0 2 5-7 -2 3p
3. Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
2. Cuba 3 1 0 2 5-7 -2 3p
3. Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
The only difference between Cuba and Martinique, really, is that Cuba scored 5 goals and Martinique only 2. How costly was that goal they allowed Mexico to score in the 90th minute, for Martinique.
So, now The United States is no longer to play Martinique, because Martinique is out. And they can't play Cuba, of course, because they were in the same group, so they shall play El Salvador. (What an unfortunate change of fortune for El Salvador!) And lucky, inspired Cuba is to face arguably the easiest task of all the minnows, playing against Panama on Saturday.
The winner of Mexico - Trinidad and Tobago will play the winner of Panama - Cuba in the semifinals. And the rest is obvious.
Highlights (from Cuba - Belize):
Tuesday 16 July 2013
2013.07.16 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group C
23:30 -- Cuba - Belize 4-0 highlights
38' Ariel Martinez
62' Ariel Martinez
84' Ariel Martinez
90' + 3' Jeniel Molina
02:00 -- United States - Costa Rica 1-0 highlights
82' Brek Shea
Final standings:
1 United States 3 3 0 0 11-2 +9 9p
2 Costa Rica 3 2 0 1 4-1 +3 6p
3 Cuba 3 1 0 2 5-7 -2 3p
4 Belize 3 0 0 3 1-11 -10 0p
23:30 -- Cuba - Belize 4-0 highlights
38' Ariel Martinez
62' Ariel Martinez
84' Ariel Martinez
90' + 3' Jeniel Molina
02:00 -- United States - Costa Rica 1-0 highlights
82' Brek Shea
Final standings:
1 United States 3 3 0 0 11-2 +9 9p
2 Costa Rica 3 2 0 1 4-1 +3 6p
3 Cuba 3 1 0 2 5-7 -2 3p
4 Belize 3 0 0 3 1-11 -10 0p
Monday 15 July 2013
2013.07.15 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group B
01:00 -- El Salvador - Haiti 1-0 highlights
x - 75' Rodolfo Zelaya (m. pen.) - x
76' Rodolfo Zelaya
03:30 -- Honduras - Trinidad and Tobago 0-2 highlights
48' Kenwyne Jones (pen.)
67' Kevin Molino
Final standings:
1 Honduras 3 2 0 1 3-2 +1 6p
2 Trinidad and Tobago 3 1 1 1 4-4 0 4p
3 El Salvador 3 1 1 1 3-3 0 4p
4 Haiti 3 1 0 2 2-3 -1 3p
01:00 -- El Salvador - Haiti 1-0 highlights
x - 75' Rodolfo Zelaya (m. pen.) - x
76' Rodolfo Zelaya
03:30 -- Honduras - Trinidad and Tobago 0-2 highlights
48' Kenwyne Jones (pen.)
67' Kevin Molino
Final standings:
1 Honduras 3 2 0 1 3-2 +1 6p
2 Trinidad and Tobago 3 1 1 1 4-4 0 4p
3 El Salvador 3 1 1 1 3-3 0 4p
4 Haiti 3 1 0 2 2-3 -1 3p
Honduras' Goal Against El Salvador Eliminated Haiti
Trinidad and Tobago beat Honduras. Actually, they beat Honduras' third team, formed from squad players that the Honduran coach saw fit to throw into battle when there was not a lot at stake.
(And this is, of course, an argument for having both matches being played at the same time, on the last matchday.)
Honduras knew they would have topped the group even with a large defeat, because Haiti had not won against El Salvador. (The previous match ended: El Salvador 1 (4 pts.) - (3 pts.) 0 Haiti. And, with T&T on 1 pt., no other team could have reached 6 pts.)
So, because the result was meaningless for Honduras, they wanted to save their best players for the upcoming matches.
And Trinidad and Tobago took advantage.
Meanwhile, Haiti was left holding the short stick at the end of this thorny situation. Because they lost against El Salvador (following a penalty which probably should not have been given), their hopes of progressing were relying on Honduras not losing against T&T.
But what does Honduras care about Haiti, right?
They wouldn't have tried protecting their players as they did, if only Honduras - El Salvador had ended 0-0, which was actually probably a more equitable result.
So, basically, that goal is the one that eliminated Haiti, by proxy. Because, if Honduras had used their first team, they should have probably beaten Trinidad and Tobago, too.
The fact that Trinidad and Tobago won by two goals means that they now have a better goals-scored situation than El Salvador, and the island nation moves into second spot now. But that means that they now have to play Mexico.
El Salvador is probably going to play Panama, arguably an easier match. (But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as there could be another switch and El Salvador could also potentially play The United States, or even Costa Rica, both of which might just be tougher opponents than Mexico.)
The fact that remains, regardless of what happens, is that Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador are all through. Haiti is out, unfortunately for a very attack-minded, hard-working team, which deserved better.
And two of Belize, Cuba and Martinique will be out for sure. (Most likely, Martinique will stay, but who knows? It's not written in stone that there won't be more than 3 goals in the Cuba - Belize match.)
As you can see, whoever wins between Belize and Cuba must win by at least 4 goals to qualify. Otherwise, they'll be the worst third-placed team in the competition, and watch the rest of the tournament as non-competitors.
Highlights from El Salvador - Haiti:
Highlights from Honduras - T&T:
(And this is, of course, an argument for having both matches being played at the same time, on the last matchday.)
Honduras knew they would have topped the group even with a large defeat, because Haiti had not won against El Salvador. (The previous match ended: El Salvador 1 (4 pts.) - (3 pts.) 0 Haiti. And, with T&T on 1 pt., no other team could have reached 6 pts.)
So, because the result was meaningless for Honduras, they wanted to save their best players for the upcoming matches.
And Trinidad and Tobago took advantage.
Meanwhile, Haiti was left holding the short stick at the end of this thorny situation. Because they lost against El Salvador (following a penalty which probably should not have been given), their hopes of progressing were relying on Honduras not losing against T&T.
But what does Honduras care about Haiti, right?
They wouldn't have tried protecting their players as they did, if only Honduras - El Salvador had ended 0-0, which was actually probably a more equitable result.
So, basically, that goal is the one that eliminated Haiti, by proxy. Because, if Honduras had used their first team, they should have probably beaten Trinidad and Tobago, too.
The fact that Trinidad and Tobago won by two goals means that they now have a better goals-scored situation than El Salvador, and the island nation moves into second spot now. But that means that they now have to play Mexico.
El Salvador is probably going to play Panama, arguably an easier match. (But let's not get ahead of ourselves, as there could be another switch and El Salvador could also potentially play The United States, or even Costa Rica, both of which might just be tougher opponents than Mexico.)
The fact that remains, regardless of what happens, is that Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago and El Salvador are all through. Haiti is out, unfortunately for a very attack-minded, hard-working team, which deserved better.
And two of Belize, Cuba and Martinique will be out for sure. (Most likely, Martinique will stay, but who knows? It's not written in stone that there won't be more than 3 goals in the Cuba - Belize match.)
Classification of third-placed teams, ahead of last matchday in group C:
1. El Salvador 3 1 1 1 3-3 0 4p
2. Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
3. Belize / Cuba 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
2. Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
3. Belize / Cuba 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
As you can see, whoever wins between Belize and Cuba must win by at least 4 goals to qualify. Otherwise, they'll be the worst third-placed team in the competition, and watch the rest of the tournament as non-competitors.
Highlights from El Salvador - Haiti:
Highlights from Honduras - T&T:
Sunday 14 July 2013
2013.07.14 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group A
21:30 -- Panama - Canada 0-0
00:00 -- Martinique - Mexico 1-3 highlights
[0-1] 21' Marco Fabian
[0-2] 34' Luis Montes
[1-2] 43' Kevin Marius Parsemain (pen.)
[1-3] 90' Miguel Angel Ponce
Final standings:
1 Panama 3 2 1 0 3-1 +2 7p
2 Mexico 3 2 0 1 6-3 +3 6p
3 Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
4 Canada 3 0 1 2 0-3 -3 1p
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Luzern - Lausanne 2-0 (1-0)
13:45 -- FC Zurich - Thun 3-2 (1-0)
16:00 -- St. Gallen - Grasshopper 0-2
67' Shkelzen Gashi
90' Izet Hajrovic
Current standings:
1 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
2-4 Grasshopper 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
2-4 Luzern 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
21:30 -- Panama - Canada 0-0
00:00 -- Martinique - Mexico 1-3 highlights
[0-1] 21' Marco Fabian
[0-2] 34' Luis Montes
[1-2] 43' Kevin Marius Parsemain (pen.)
[1-3] 90' Miguel Angel Ponce
Final standings:
1 Panama 3 2 1 0 3-1 +2 7p
2 Mexico 3 2 0 1 6-3 +3 6p
3 Martinique 3 1 0 2 2-4 -2 3p
4 Canada 3 0 1 2 0-3 -3 1p
SWITZERLAND: Super League
13:45 -- Luzern - Lausanne 2-0 (1-0)
13:45 -- FC Zurich - Thun 3-2 (1-0)
16:00 -- St. Gallen - Grasshopper 0-2
67' Shkelzen Gashi
90' Izet Hajrovic
Current standings:
1 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
2-4 Grasshopper 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
2-4 Luzern 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
Saturday 13 July 2013
2013.07.13 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group C
21:30 -- United States - Cuba 4-1 highlights
[0-1] 36' Jose Ciprian
[1-1] 45' + 2' Landon Donovan (pen.)
[2-1] 57' Joe Corona
[3-1] 66' Chris Wondolowski
[4-1] 85' Chris Wondolowski
00:00 -- Costa Rica - Belize 1-0 highlights
49' Dalton Eiley (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 United States 2 2 0 0 10-2 +8 6p
2 Costa Rica 2 2 0 0 4-0 +4 6p
3-4 Belize 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
3-4 Cuba 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
SWITZERLAND: Super League
19:45 -- Young Boys Bern - Sion 2-0 (2-0)
19:45 -- Basel - Aarau 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 25' Mohamed Salah
[2-0] 64' Raul Bobadilla
[3-0] 73' Marco Streller
[3-1] 79' Juan Garat
Current standings:
1 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
2 Young Boys 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
3-8 Grasshopper 0 0 0 0 0-0 0 0p
21:30 -- United States - Cuba 4-1 highlights
[0-1] 36' Jose Ciprian
[1-1] 45' + 2' Landon Donovan (pen.)
[2-1] 57' Joe Corona
[3-1] 66' Chris Wondolowski
[4-1] 85' Chris Wondolowski
00:00 -- Costa Rica - Belize 1-0 highlights
49' Dalton Eiley (o.-g.)
Current standings:
1 United States 2 2 0 0 10-2 +8 6p
2 Costa Rica 2 2 0 0 4-0 +4 6p
3-4 Belize 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
3-4 Cuba 2 0 0 2 1-7 -6 0p
SWITZERLAND: Super League
19:45 -- Young Boys Bern - Sion 2-0 (2-0)
19:45 -- Basel - Aarau 3-1 highlights
[1-0] 25' Mohamed Salah
[2-0] 64' Raul Bobadilla
[3-0] 73' Marco Streller
[3-1] 79' Juan Garat
Current standings:
1 Basel 1 1 0 0 3-1 +2 3p
2 Young Boys 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
3-8 Grasshopper 0 0 0 0 0-0 0 0p
Nicely Done
Haiti played very well against Honduras. They had more possession than the Hondurans, for one, in that 0-2 defeat.
But they lack experience, more or less.
Apparently, less, especially after what they've shown in their match against Trinidad and Tobago.
The Haitian team is reasonably balanced, and can go forward. And they have a good attacking player, in Jean-Eudes Maurice. But their small lack of experience can make them vulnerable against teams that are significantly more experienced (like Honduras).
They could dominate, and beat, T&T because both teams are roughly on the same level.
But Haiti has to be more careful, especially in defense, if they want to get past the quarter-final stage. (They might have just already done enough to make it to the quarter-final stage...)
Nicely done!
Highlights:
But they lack experience, more or less.
Apparently, less, especially after what they've shown in their match against Trinidad and Tobago.
The Haitian team is reasonably balanced, and can go forward. And they have a good attacking player, in Jean-Eudes Maurice. But their small lack of experience can make them vulnerable against teams that are significantly more experienced (like Honduras).
They could dominate, and beat, T&T because both teams are roughly on the same level.
But Haiti has to be more careful, especially in defense, if they want to get past the quarter-final stage. (They might have just already done enough to make it to the quarter-final stage...)
Nicely done!
Highlights:
Friday 12 July 2013
2013.07.12 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group B
01:00 -- Trinidad and Tobago - Haiti 0-2 highlights
16' Jean Maurice
53' Jean Maurice
03:30 -- Honduras - El Salvador 1-0 highlights
90' + 2' Jorge Claros
Current standings:
1 Honduras 2 2 0 0 3-0 +3 6p
2 Haiti 2 1 0 1 2-2 0 3p
3 El Salvador 2 0 1 1 2-3 -1 1p
4 Trinidad and Tobago 2 0 1 1 2-4 -2 1p
01:00 -- Trinidad and Tobago - Haiti 0-2 highlights
16' Jean Maurice
53' Jean Maurice
03:30 -- Honduras - El Salvador 1-0 highlights
90' + 2' Jorge Claros
Current standings:
1 Honduras 2 2 0 0 3-0 +3 6p
2 Haiti 2 1 0 1 2-2 0 3p
3 El Salvador 2 0 1 1 2-3 -1 1p
4 Trinidad and Tobago 2 0 1 1 2-4 -2 1p
Almost
Martinique held their own for almost the entire match against now-favourites (of Group A) Panama.
But one silly mistake was enough to see them lose the match. 5 more minutes, and it would have been just about over.
Everybody expects Mexico to come back now, and to win their last remaining matches. They're probably going to beat Martinique, in the third match.
With a point, Martinique would have been through, most likely (or, if USA and Costa Rica win again, for sure). And, then, they wouldn't have had to worry about losing big to Mexico.
If Martinique loses to Mexico in the third match, then even Canada could come back to qualify with a decent win over Panama.
This group is not over yet.
What we know for sure, though, is that Panama has advanced to the quarter-final stage with a game to spare.
Highlights:
But one silly mistake was enough to see them lose the match. 5 more minutes, and it would have been just about over.
Everybody expects Mexico to come back now, and to win their last remaining matches. They're probably going to beat Martinique, in the third match.
With a point, Martinique would have been through, most likely (or, if USA and Costa Rica win again, for sure). And, then, they wouldn't have had to worry about losing big to Mexico.
If Martinique loses to Mexico in the third match, then even Canada could come back to qualify with a decent win over Panama.
This group is not over yet.
What we know for sure, though, is that Panama has advanced to the quarter-final stage with a game to spare.
Highlights:
Thursday 11 July 2013
2013.07.11 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group A
02:30 -- Panama - Martinique 1-0 highlights
84' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
05:00 -- Mexico - Canada 2-0 highlights
42' Raul Jimenez
57' Marco Fabian (pen.)
Current standings:
1 Panama 2 2 0 0 3-1 +2 6p
2 Mexico 2 1 0 1 3-2 +1 3p
3 Martinique 2 1 0 1 1-1 0 3p
4 Canada 2 0 0 2 0-3 -3 0p
02:30 -- Panama - Martinique 1-0 highlights
84' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
05:00 -- Mexico - Canada 2-0 highlights
42' Raul Jimenez
57' Marco Fabian (pen.)
Current standings:
1 Panama 2 2 0 0 3-1 +2 6p
2 Mexico 2 1 0 1 3-2 +1 3p
3 Martinique 2 1 0 1 1-1 0 3p
4 Canada 2 0 0 2 0-3 -3 0p
Wednesday 10 July 2013
Beroe Does It Again
What's up with Beroe beating the big guns in Bulgaria, and in important matches, too?
Of course, three years ago, Ludogorets was not a big gun, either. But they are now, though, after winning two titles in a row.
And Beroe won the cup and the super cup.
Possibly another big gun in the future?
Stara Zagora, the town where Beroe plays, is larger than Razgrad, so that's a start...
But, getting back to the match, Beroe played very well.
Highlights:
Of course, three years ago, Ludogorets was not a big gun, either. But they are now, though, after winning two titles in a row.
And Beroe won the cup and the super cup.
Possibly another big gun in the future?
Stara Zagora, the town where Beroe plays, is larger than Razgrad, so that's a start...
But, getting back to the match, Beroe played very well.
Highlights:
2013.07.10 - The Result
BULGARIA: Super Cup
19:30 -- Ludogorets - Beroe 1-1, 1-1 after extra time, 3-5 on penalties, 4-6 total score (including penalties scored) highlights
[0-1] 27' Ventsislav Hristov
[1-1] 45' + 1' Svetoslav Dyakov
19:30 -- Ludogorets - Beroe 1-1, 1-1 after extra time, 3-5 on penalties, 4-6 total score (including penalties scored) highlights
[0-1] 27' Ventsislav Hristov
[1-1] 45' + 1' Svetoslav Dyakov
USA Thrash Belize
Belize was tied on goals with the United States for only 12 minutes, and behind only one goal for just 26.
And the United States could have scored 3-4 more, easily.
Yes, the defeat was crushing.
How did Belize get to the Gold Cup, one may ask?
Well, they did so through the UNCAF Championship, or the Copa Centroamericana, as it's also called.
They finished fourth.
By beating Nicaragua, 2-1, with the winner scored in injury time, they succeeded in overtaking Guatemala and finishing second in the first group (which Costa Rica won, with Nicaragua finishing bottom). That meant Belize could play in the semifinals of the competition, which of course they lost, 0-1, to Honduras, the eventual runners-up.
But the sports development methods in Belize are quite poor, according to a Belizean. So, even though they should have made improvements for this Gold Cup participation, probably they regressed a bit.
Hopefully, the other matches they play won't see them on the losing side of such crushing defeats, again.
Highlights:
And the United States could have scored 3-4 more, easily.
Yes, the defeat was crushing.
How did Belize get to the Gold Cup, one may ask?
Well, they did so through the UNCAF Championship, or the Copa Centroamericana, as it's also called.
They finished fourth.
By beating Nicaragua, 2-1, with the winner scored in injury time, they succeeded in overtaking Guatemala and finishing second in the first group (which Costa Rica won, with Nicaragua finishing bottom). That meant Belize could play in the semifinals of the competition, which of course they lost, 0-1, to Honduras, the eventual runners-up.
But the sports development methods in Belize are quite poor, according to a Belizean. So, even though they should have made improvements for this Gold Cup participation, probably they regressed a bit.
Hopefully, the other matches they play won't see them on the losing side of such crushing defeats, again.
Highlights:
Tuesday 9 July 2013
2013.07.09 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group C
02:30 -- Costa Rica - Cuba 3-0 highlights
52' Michael Barrantes
71' Jairo Arrieta
77' Michael Barrantes
05:00 -- Belize - United States 1-6 highlights
[0-1] 12' Chris Wondolowski
[0-2] 37' Chris Wondolowski
[1-2] 40' Ian Gaynair
[1-3] 41' Chris Wondolowski
[1-4] 58' Stuart Holden
[1-5] 72' Michael Orozco
[1-6] 76' Landon Donovan (pen.)
Current standings:
1 United States 1 1 0 0 6-1 +5 3p
2 Costa Rica 1 1 0 0 3-0 +3 3p
3 Cuba 1 0 0 1 0-3 -3 0p
4 Belize 1 0 0 1 1-6 -5 0p
02:30 -- Costa Rica - Cuba 3-0 highlights
52' Michael Barrantes
71' Jairo Arrieta
77' Michael Barrantes
05:00 -- Belize - United States 1-6 highlights
[0-1] 12' Chris Wondolowski
[0-2] 37' Chris Wondolowski
[1-2] 40' Ian Gaynair
[1-3] 41' Chris Wondolowski
[1-4] 58' Stuart Holden
[1-5] 72' Michael Orozco
[1-6] 76' Landon Donovan (pen.)
Current standings:
1 United States 1 1 0 0 6-1 +5 3p
2 Costa Rica 1 1 0 0 3-0 +3 3p
3 Cuba 1 0 0 1 0-3 -3 0p
4 Belize 1 0 0 1 1-6 -5 0p
Monday 8 July 2013
2013.07.08 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group B
01:00 -- El Salvador - Trinidad and Tobago 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 11' Keon Daniel
[1-1] 22' Rodolfo Zelaya
[2-1] 69' Rodolfo Zelaya
[2-2] 73' Kenwyne Jones
03:30 -- Haiti - Honduras 0-2 highlights
4' Ronny Martinez
78' Marvin Chavez
Current standings:
1 Honduras 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
2-3 El Salvador 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1p
2-3 Trinidad and Tobago 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1p
4 Haiti 1 0 0 1 0-2 -2 0p
01:00 -- El Salvador - Trinidad and Tobago 2-2 highlights
[0-1] 11' Keon Daniel
[1-1] 22' Rodolfo Zelaya
[2-1] 69' Rodolfo Zelaya
[2-2] 73' Kenwyne Jones
03:30 -- Haiti - Honduras 0-2 highlights
4' Ronny Martinez
78' Marvin Chavez
Current standings:
1 Honduras 1 1 0 0 2-0 +2 3p
2-3 El Salvador 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1p
2-3 Trinidad and Tobago 1 0 1 0 2-2 0 1p
4 Haiti 1 0 0 1 0-2 -2 0p
Mexico, Too!?!
What a day to start off the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup!
Canada loses to an overseas region of France, with a population of only roughly 400000 inhabitants, and now Mexico loses to Panama, a team they're usually expected to defeat.
After Mexico tied the score, in first-half injury time, probably most people thought the match was getting back to normal.
But bad defending by Mexico 3 minutes after the break led to another Panamanian goal, scored by the same player: Gabriel Torres.
And that was all.
I knew Mexico had problems getting the wins, due to their 5 draws out of 6 matches played, in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, but this is a loss. It must be shocking for a lot of people, myself included. (Could there be a big shift of power in CONCACAF? Even Costa Rica is looking more dangerous than Mexico now.)
Highlights:
Canada loses to an overseas region of France, with a population of only roughly 400000 inhabitants, and now Mexico loses to Panama, a team they're usually expected to defeat.
After Mexico tied the score, in first-half injury time, probably most people thought the match was getting back to normal.
But bad defending by Mexico 3 minutes after the break led to another Panamanian goal, scored by the same player: Gabriel Torres.
And that was all.
I knew Mexico had problems getting the wins, due to their 5 draws out of 6 matches played, in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, but this is a loss. It must be shocking for a lot of people, myself included. (Could there be a big shift of power in CONCACAF? Even Costa Rica is looking more dangerous than Mexico now.)
Highlights:
Why Does This Team Qualify Automatically?
Should Canada qualify for Gold Cup finals automatically?
It's probably okay for the United States, because they're always the hosts, and maybe even for Mexico, because they win the tournament on more than half of all occasions (and it would be a waste of time to have them playing against Aruba and Bermuda, for example, or even Belize and Nicaragua).
But Canada really has a weak team at the present time.
And aren't teams like Jamaica and maybe Guatemala more deserving to be there than Canada?
The opening game of this tournament saw a country that is not even independent clearly outplaying the second-largest country in the world (by area).
Very strange to watch. And pathetic, too, Canadians must admit.
Still, with all the Martinique chances, the match would have very likely ended 0-0, if not for the brilliant shot by Reuperne. That was one goal definitely worth putting on any highlight reel.
Highlights:
It's probably okay for the United States, because they're always the hosts, and maybe even for Mexico, because they win the tournament on more than half of all occasions (and it would be a waste of time to have them playing against Aruba and Bermuda, for example, or even Belize and Nicaragua).
But Canada really has a weak team at the present time.
And aren't teams like Jamaica and maybe Guatemala more deserving to be there than Canada?
The opening game of this tournament saw a country that is not even independent clearly outplaying the second-largest country in the world (by area).
Very strange to watch. And pathetic, too, Canadians must admit.
Still, with all the Martinique chances, the match would have very likely ended 0-0, if not for the brilliant shot by Reuperne. That was one goal definitely worth putting on any highlight reel.
Highlights:
Sunday 7 July 2013
2013.07.07 - The Results
CONCACAF GOLD CUP: Group A
23:30 -- Canada - Martinique 0-1 highlights
90' + 3' Fabrice Reuperne
02:00 -- Mexico - Panama 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 7' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
[1-1] 45' + 2' Marco Fabian
[1-2] 48' Gabriel Torres
Current standings:
1 Panama 1 1 0 0 2-1 +1 3p
2 Martinique 1 1 0 0 1-0 +1 3p
3 Mexico 1 0 0 1 1-2 -1 0p
4 Canada 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0p
23:30 -- Canada - Martinique 0-1 highlights
90' + 3' Fabrice Reuperne
02:00 -- Mexico - Panama 1-2 highlights
[0-1] 7' Gabriel Torres (pen.)
[1-1] 45' + 2' Marco Fabian
[1-2] 48' Gabriel Torres
Current standings:
1 Panama 1 1 0 0 2-1 +1 3p
2 Martinique 1 1 0 0 1-0 +1 3p
3 Mexico 1 0 0 1 1-2 -1 0p
4 Canada 1 0 0 1 0-1 -1 0p
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