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USA, Costa Rica score identical 3-1 wins
Published: Tuesday | February 15, 2011 4 Comments
Western Bureau: Favourites the United States of America (USA) and South American side Costa Rica started their campaign in the 2011 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Finals in identical fashion, when they both registered 3-1 wins against Cuba and Haiti, respectively, in yesterday's tournament-opening double-header at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Catherine Hall.
In their Group B game against Cuba, the Wilmer Cabrera-coached Americans pretty much had things their way and secured their win through goals from Alfred Karoma, Andrew Oliver and Esteban Rodriques. Frank Lopez got Cuba's consolation goal.
"The game was bad because the field was bad, but the good thing is that we won," said Cabrera. "We played well for only about 10 minutes and only one of two players played up to expectations .... we need to make a lot of improvements."
After testing the Cuban defence with a series of good attacks early, the US team took the lead in the 25th minute when the Cuban goalkeeper parried a cracking shot by Oliver into the path of Karoma, who side-footed home.
Two minutes into the second half, the United States doubled their lead when the speedy Oliver dribbled through the Cuban defence and fired a powerful grounder past the diving goalkeeper.
With Cuba under pressure and severely tested by the Americans, they cracked for a third time in the 50th minute. On a teasing dribble across the face of the Cuban goal, Rodriques drove a neat shot past the goalkeeper, Sandy Sanchez, making the score 3-0.
Midway the half, Cuba gradually began to find room in the American defence and steadily clawed their way back into the game. They were rewarded in the 66th minute when Lopez, who had fired wide a minute earlier, got a close-range shot on target, making the score 3-1.
"We got many chances but the players did not put them away," said Israel Blake, the Cuban coach. "At this level, players need to show better composure before the goal. We will just have to make the necessary improvements in our next game."
Better team
In the opening Group A game between the Diego Arnaez-coached Costa Rica and Haiti, the Central American team was easily better, and their goals by William Quiros (22nd), skipper Gabriel Leiva (48th) and John Ruiz (45th) confirmed their superiority. Johnley Cherry (23rd) got Haiti's consolation goal.
"At the beginning, the team was tense, but towards the end of the first half we began to settle down," said the Costa Rican coach. "In the second half we played good football, with a lot of [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]confidence[/COLOR][/COLOR]."
With time ticking away in the half, Costa Rica regained the lead with a superb strike from Leiva.
Three minutes into the second half, the Costa Ricans sealed the issue when Ruiz broke free on the right flank and fired past the goalkeeper, making the final score 3-1.
Towards the end of the game, Haiti were reduced to 10 players when Luckenson Demonosehene was red-carded for a vicious foul on David Acuna.
"Our inadequate preparation coming into the tournament affected us," said Wilmer Ettiene, the Haitian coach. "We will have to improve in our next game if we are to move forward in this competition."
USA, Costa Rica score identical 3-1 wins
Published: Tuesday | February 15, 2011 4 Comments
Western Bureau: Favourites the United States of America (USA) and South American side Costa Rica started their campaign in the 2011 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Finals in identical fashion, when they both registered 3-1 wins against Cuba and Haiti, respectively, in yesterday's tournament-opening double-header at the Montego Bay Sports Complex, Catherine Hall.
In their Group B game against Cuba, the Wilmer Cabrera-coached Americans pretty much had things their way and secured their win through goals from Alfred Karoma, Andrew Oliver and Esteban Rodriques. Frank Lopez got Cuba's consolation goal.
"The game was bad because the field was bad, but the good thing is that we won," said Cabrera. "We played well for only about 10 minutes and only one of two players played up to expectations .... we need to make a lot of improvements."
After testing the Cuban defence with a series of good attacks early, the US team took the lead in the 25th minute when the Cuban goalkeeper parried a cracking shot by Oliver into the path of Karoma, who side-footed home.
Two minutes into the second half, the United States doubled their lead when the speedy Oliver dribbled through the Cuban defence and fired a powerful grounder past the diving goalkeeper.
With Cuba under pressure and severely tested by the Americans, they cracked for a third time in the 50th minute. On a teasing dribble across the face of the Cuban goal, Rodriques drove a neat shot past the goalkeeper, Sandy Sanchez, making the score 3-0.
Midway the half, Cuba gradually began to find room in the American defence and steadily clawed their way back into the game. They were rewarded in the 66th minute when Lopez, who had fired wide a minute earlier, got a close-range shot on target, making the score 3-1.
"We got many chances but the players did not put them away," said Israel Blake, the Cuban coach. "At this level, players need to show better composure before the goal. We will just have to make the necessary improvements in our next game."
Better team
In the opening Group A game between the Diego Arnaez-coached Costa Rica and Haiti, the Central American team was easily better, and their goals by William Quiros (22nd), skipper Gabriel Leiva (48th) and John Ruiz (45th) confirmed their superiority. Johnley Cherry (23rd) got Haiti's consolation goal.
"At the beginning, the team was tense, but towards the end of the first half we began to settle down," said the Costa Rican coach. "In the second half we played good football, with a lot of [COLOR=blue !important][COLOR=blue !important]confidence[/COLOR][/COLOR]."
With time ticking away in the half, Costa Rica regained the lead with a superb strike from Leiva.
Three minutes into the second half, the Costa Ricans sealed the issue when Ruiz broke free on the right flank and fired past the goalkeeper, making the final score 3-1.
Towards the end of the game, Haiti were reduced to 10 players when Luckenson Demonosehene was red-carded for a vicious foul on David Acuna.
"Our inadequate preparation coming into the tournament affected us," said Wilmer Ettiene, the Haitian coach. "We will have to improve in our next game if we are to move forward in this competition."
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