Host Mexico wallops T&T 7-0 to open bid for title at U-17 Championship.
By: Ivan Orozco (CONCACAF.COM).TIJUANA, Mexico – Mexico scored three times in the first 28 minutes and easily defeated Trinidad & Tobago 7-0 on Wednesday in the opener for both teams at the CONCACAF U-17 Championship.
Guatemala and Costa Rica played to a 1-1 draw in the early game, leaving Mexico atop Group B in its bid to earn a semifinal berth and a return to the U-17 World Cup.
Mexico’s Carlos Campos (4th minute), Martin Galvan (22nd) and Victor Mañon (28th) scored to delight an energetic capacity crowd of 13,333 at Estadio Caliente on the second day of the eight-team tournament that runs through May 2.
"We're happy with the result," Mexican coach Jose Luiz Gonzalez said. "This shows that Mexico is an important team in the region. We were conscious of the responsibility that comes with these matches."
Perhaps the loudest cheer from the home crowd came when Campos tapped a loose ball to the left of Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper John Thomas to open the scoring.
Galvan’s converted a penalty kick after referee Trevor Taylor whistled Trinidad defender Ryan Frederick for a foul on Luis Telles in the 21st minute.
Mañon took a Campos volleyed pass and headed it into the back of the net for his score.
Mexico dominated most of the match, controlling possession, and moved the ball fluidly, often catching Trinidad and Tobago’s defense off guard.
It was more of the same in the second half. Galvan scored twice more and Telles had a second goal.
Galvan scored on a right-footed shot from left to right three minutes into the second half and sent a curving shot into the net in the 63rd minute on a free kick.
Telles converted a penalty in the 50th minute. Salvador Jasso completed the Mexican scoring with a goal in the 82nd minute.
"That's the type of soccer I like," Gonzalez said. "This team created a vertical game that created plenty of chances. It works for me."
In the first match of the day, Marvin Ceballos helped Guatemala to a draw after Costa Rica led for 75 minutes.
Ceballos sent a right-footed shot from just inside the penalty area past Costa Rica goalkeeper Ricardo Rojas into the lower-right corner of the net.
Kendel Herrarte fed Ceballos with a short rolling ball after eluding a defender.
Costa Rica had a couple of chances to retake the lead late in the second half. Perhaps its clearest chance came in the 77th minute when Ariel Soto’s header ricocheted off the Guatemala crossbar.
After a couple of misses, Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell scored in the 38th minute to give the Ticos a 1-0 lead.
Campbell deflected a Deyver Vega pass off the left to near the penalty spot. Campbell poked the ball with his right foot while sliding towards the goal. His shot sailed past Guatemala goalkeeper Eddy Garcia into the left side of the net.
That play was one of a handful of opportunities created by a Costa Rica team that played most of the first half inside its own half and relied on a counter attack.
Campbell had clear chance in the 19th and 22nd minute, the first was a point-blank shot that was saved by Garcia. Campbell sent a ball over the cross bar via a header on his other attempt.
Guatemala controlled the pace for more than 20 minutes of the first half, relying on possession and a fluid passing game.
It was Gerson Bonilla who gave Guatemala its clearest look at goal, 18 minutes after the opening kickoff. He blasted a shot from just outside the penalty area, sending it rolling past the right post.
Both teams will look for their first win Friday as Guatemala is slated to face Mexico and Costa Rica will take on Trinidad and Tobago in the Group’s second leg.
Video can be viewed online within hours after each match at
CONCACAF.com.
FMF President Compean Surprised by U-17 rout.
By: GOAL.COM.FMF President Justino Compean said nobody expected for Mexico to win by seven goals in the Under-17 CONCACAF Championship opener on Wednesday.Mexico destroyed Trinidad & Tobago by a 7-0 scoreline on Wednesday in the U-17 CONCACAF Championship, and the score was a surprise all the way to the top of the Mexican Football Federation.
Mexico's rout over the Caribbean team in Tijuana was about as strong and convincing result as possible, and the FMF brass were pleased.
"Honestly, we didn't expect this result," FMF President Justino Compean said. "The boys from Trinidad & Tobago were very physical and fast but our players' hearts were stronger."
Martin Galvan had a hat trick as Mexico won their opener by a wide margin. The victory deviated with recent history, which has seen other Mexican youth national teams crash out of their respective qualifying campaigns before ever reaching their championship tournaments.
"We got it right with Gonzalez China and we're very excited," Compean said. "The track record with the (Under) 20s and (Under) 23s were not at all satisfactory and we're turning that page with this performance."
In March, the Under-20s failed to qualify for the U-20 World Cup, one year after the Mexico Under-23 national team failed to get past the group stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament.
This time around, though, El Tri's youngsters have scored near-perfect marks in their first attempt and seemed to restored the faith within the FMF.
"We have to give the supporters a 10, a 10 for the attitude and to the players who gave us seven goals," Compean said. "They never stopped attacking and kept figthing until the final minute."
