Canada advances to Olympic qualifying semis after 1-1 draw with Cuba
Posted Mar 27, 2012 05:18:38 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NASHVILLE – Canada moved on to the semifinals at the CONCACAF men’s soccer Olympic qualifying tournament on Monday, but a goal conceded in injury time could derail its journey to the 2012 London Games.
With Canada seemingly headed for victory and a possible first-place finish in Group A, Cuba’s Maykel Reyes scored in the first minute of extra time to force a 1-1 draw.
Evan James had given Canada a 1-0 lead in the first half.
Here are the highlights from the game courtesy of www.sportsnet.ca
El Salvador scored in injury time to tie the United States 3-3 later Monday, clinching top spot in Group A and eliminating the Americans.
The late goal from Cuba goal ended up being huge. Instead of finishing first in Group A with seven points, Canada finished tied with El Salvador at five points.
El Salvador won the group with better a better goal differential, plus-4 to plus-2.
Bryce Alderson of Kitchener is a member of the Canadian squad. Follow this link to hear his conversation with 570 News after the squad’s 2-0 win over the Americans.
Instead of advancing to play the second-place team in Group B, Canada will likely have to play the powerful Mexicans in the semifinals. Only the two tournament finalists advance to the Olympics.
