Mexico clinches semifinal berth with 2-0 win
CONCACAF.comMaribel Dominguez scored for a second straight match and Evelyn Lopez added a second-half strike to put Mexico into the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women's World Cup Qualifying with a 2-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago Sunday night.
The result - in a testy affair -- also assured Canada, which routed Guyana 8-0 earlier Sunday, of a semifinal berth, and sent it to a Tuesday meeting with the tournament host for the Group A title. Trinidad was eliminated from contention with the loss.
Dominguez, who scored three in a 7-2 victory over Guyana on Friday, threatened less than three minutes after the opening kickoff and put Mexico ahead in the minute before halftime.
Lopez curled a cross from 30 yards out into the penalty area, where Trinidad keeper Kamika Forbes was late coming off her line and allowed Dominguez to beat her to the ball and head it past.
Dominguez returned the favor in the 58th, twisting free of Trinidad defender Anyana Russell on the left side, whipping a cross to the far side where Lopez met it with a sliding volley eight meters from goal and squeezed it between Forbes and the near post.
Trinidad finished with only 10 players when Tasha St. Louis was ejected in the 71st, apparently for complaining to Cuban referee Irazema Aguilar immediately after teammate Kennya Cordner was yellow carded for a two-footed tackle on the touchline on Stephany Mayor.
St. Louis, who had received a yellow in the 55th for a foul on Dominguez, was visibly angry and appeared to lash out at Mexico coach Leo Cuellar as she left the field. She was escorted to the dressing rooms by Trinidad team personnel.
It was Mexico's third straight win - all by shutout - against Trinidad in the CONCACAF women's championship and improved its record to 3-2-1.
Mexico, which made four changes from its victory over Guyana - including goalkeeper Cecelia Santiago for Pamela Tajonar -- had the better of possession and chances in the first half, but both teams were limited in quality opportunities.
Dominguez broke in alone on Forbes 2:20 into the game. Forbes came off her line and Dominguez easily dribbled past, but Trinidad's Arin King raced back and prevented the Mexican veteran from attempting a shot.
Until Dominguez's goal, Mexico's best chance came in the 12th minute when Lillian Mercado tried to catch Forbes off her line, launching a 45-meter effort from just outside the midfield circle. Forbes backtracked and was nearly standing on her line when she reached up and deflected the ball onto her own bar before recovering the rebound.
Trinidad's best chance came on a corner when King was unmarked at the back post on the six, but volleyed her attempt just over the bar in the 33rd. Akeela Mollon had Trinidad's best chance in the second half, getting into the area in the 88th only to put her shot under Santiago but just short of the near post.
Mexico poured on the pressure in the second half, and Forbes twice denied what appeared to be certain goals, blocking shots in the 62nd by Alina Garciamendez and again in the 73rd to thwart Lopez. The free kick that restarted play after St. Louis' ejected was a 40-meter effort that Dinora Garza banged off the post.
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