Monday, February 12, 2007

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador: A 1-0 victory in a somewhat ill-tempered clash with Belize saw Guatemala through to the semi-finals of the Copa de Naciones Digicel 2007 and assured their qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Hernan Dario Gomez’s men were on top throughout the game but could not add to their only goal which came in the 8th minute. Gustavo Cabrera met Marvin Avila’s corner with a powerful header beyond the reach of Shane Orio in the Belize goal.

Avila himself and Jose Contreras came close to adding to the lead with long range shots as Guatemala dominated possession throughout the first half without showing a cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.

Left midfielder Harrison Roches’ pot shot from long range was Belize’s only effort of note in the first half but the side ranked a lowly 199 in the world started the second half much more brightly as they took the game to their more illustrious opponents.

Ryan Simpson forced Guatemala custodian Ricardo Trigueño into a fine save as Belize pressed forward to rescue their Copa Digicel campaign. But shortly after Marvin Avila and been denied by Orio in the Belize goal, Orland Lyons received his marching order from referee Rolando Vidal, leaving Belize to face the remaining 30 minutes of the game down to ten men.

Despite the numerical advantage, Guatemala proved unable to break down Belize and add to their lead. Indeed Elroy Smith nearly snatched an equalizer, striking the Guatemalan post with 15 minutes remaining.

Despite this late scare, Guatemala held on comfortably and now face El Salvador on Monday to decide who tops the Group. Belize, after competitive defeats by only one goal to the higher ranked nations of El Salvador and Guatemala, face Nicaragua with a win needed to keep their Gold Cup qualification hopes alive.

Guatemala: Ricardo Trigueño; Leonel Noriega, Henry Medina, Gustavo Cabrera and Claudio Albizuriz; José Contreras, Marvín Ávila, Elmer Ponciano, Fredy Thompson; Héctor de Mata, César Alegría.

Belize: Shane Orio; Ryan Simpson, Cristóbal Gilharry, Mark Leslie and Deon McCauley; Harrison Roches, David Trapo, Orlando Lyons, Trevor Lennen; Elroy Smith, Dalton Eiley.

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