Panama, Cuba lock horns 2-2.
By: Brian Trusdell (AP Writer).
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Reynier Alcantara scored in the 78th minute -- his second goal in as many games -- and Cuba survived a late penalty attempt for a 2-2 draw with Panama on Sunday, keeping alive its hopes of advancing at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Alcantara's left-footed volley at the left post from a chip by Jaime Colome earned Cuba its first point, but left it at the bottom of Group C.
Panamanian captain Felipe Baloy had a chance to win it for Panama in the 90th minute, earning a penalty but sending his attempt over the bar.
Panama still climbed to the top of the group with four points, one ahead of Mexico and Honduras. Honduras upset Mexico earlier Sunday 2-1.
Blas Perez scored 48 seconds after the second-half kickoff -- his second goal in as many games -- to give Panama a 2-1 lead.
Perez, who left his club team, Cucuta Deportivo, and was unavailable for its Copa Libertadores semifinal second leg against Boca Juniors on Thursday, also assisted on Panama's first goal.
Panama, which lost on penalties to the United States in the Gold Cup championship two years ago, neared the knockout round for the second time in three trips to the finals.
It led in the 16th minute when Perez headed a cross into the path of Jose Luis Garces, who volleyed the bounding ball past Cuban keeper Odelin Molina from 10 yards.
Cuba equalized in the 29th when Colome struck a right-footed free kick one meter outside the corner of the penalty area to the near post. Panamanian keeper Jaime Penedo was able to get two hands to the ball, but knocked it just inside the left post.
Perez restored Panama's lead by capitalizing when Yenier Marquez fell with the ball at his feet just outside the area. Perez stepped in, touched the ball past Marquez and easily beat Molina.
After Alcantara equalized, Panama appeared to be on the verge of victory when Molina received a yellow card for tripping Baloy as the two raced for a free ball. But Baloy, the team captain, sent the ensuing penalty into the seats behind the goal.
Cuba, which has won only one match in 12 at the Gold Cup, drew for only the second time in four appearances at the finals. It will face Honduras on Wednesday in Houston in its final group match, followed by Mexico against Panama.
Line-ups:
PANAMA: Jaime Penedo; Amilcar Henriquez (Luis Moreno, 64), Roman Torres, Felipe Baloy, Carlos Rivera; Alberto Blanco (Ricardo Phillips, 46), Gabriel Gomez, Juan Perez; Victor Herrera, Blas Perez, Jose Luis Garces (Engin Mitre, 78).
CUBA: Odelin Molina; Silvio Pedro Minoso, Yenier Marquez, Reysander Fernandez, Gisbel Morales; Alain Cervantes (Ariel Martinez, 85), Osvaldo Alonso, Jaime Colome, Pedro Adirani Faife; Reynier Alcantara, Leonel Duarte (Adonis Ramos, 65).
