6 April 2005
by FIFAworldcup.com
With three matches in the sack, there has been no mean amount of incident so far in North, Central America and the Caribbean qualifying. Join FIFAworldcup.com for a look at seven moments to savour from the last two matchdays in the New World.
1.) Heads-up Borgetti
His brilliant reverse, turnaround header against Italy in the first round of Korea/Japan 2002 should have alerted the world to what Santos Laguna and Pachuca fans have known for years: Jared 'Boom Boom' Borgetti has one of the best heads in the game. He proved it again when the United States came to town for a hotly anticipated match at the Estadio Azteca on Easter Sunday. In a space of just three minutes, Borgetti's aerial threat brought Mexico two goals. A defensive mix-up on the half-hour mark allowed him to storm through and nod home from close range, becoming the region's top scorer with 11 goals in qualifying. And just two minutes later, with nearly every American defender keen to keep him from scoring again, he slipped a headed pass to the unmarked Antonio ‘Zinha' Naelson, who nonchalantly tapped past Kasey Keller to kill off the affair.
2.) Up-and-down Donovan heads home, Johnson on point
Though he struggled with the altitude, atmosphere and opponent at the Azteca, American boy wonder Landon Donovan bounced back three days later against Guatemala. With a renewed sense of spirit and determination, he set the table for the Americans' first goal in Birmingham, Alabama on 30 March. And the man who latched onto his dainty little heel flick in minute 11 was none other than remarkable scoring phenom Eddie Johnson. With eight goals in his first eight caps and barely 21, Johnson looks destined for great things. While young Eddie's star is on the rise, Donovan's return to Major League Soccer the day after the 2-0 win over Guatemala - after his second failed stint in Germany - may prove a step in the wrong direction. U.S. boss Bruce Arena has time and again expressed his desire for American players to test themselves abroad.
3.) Heads roll in Costa Rica, T&T
In football, failure often leads to rapid change. Most often that change occurs on the touchline. Inconsistent Costa Rica and underwhelming Caribbean side Trinidad & Tobago both lost their heads after playing one another in the region's third matchday. The Ticos have been a study in inconsistency. After opening with a historic home loss to Mexico, they beat Panama at the death in San Jose, before ignominiously drawing with previously point-less T&T in Port of Spain. The Federation, having seen enough, sent Jorge Luis Pinto – who recently led them to the Central American Championship – on his way. He will be replaced by former boss Alexandre Guimaraes . It is hoped the man who took Costa Rica to Korea/Japan 2002 and led them to a first win against Mexico at the Azteca, can show the way again. T&T opted for experience too, replacing Bertille St. Clair with former Real Madrid and Holland boss Leo Beenhakker .
4.) Home is where the points are
Over the course of six matches between 26 and 30 March, not one team managed to sneak a win on the road . Mighty Mexico, after their 2-1 win over the States at home, conspired to draw with minnows Panama. Guatemala, fresh off a 5-1 hammering of T&T lost 2-0 to the States, while Costa Rica had the best chance to get a road win against lowly Trinidad & Tobago. But they too could only manage a dour 0-0 draw in Port of Spain.
5.) Goals galore, points at a premium for Guatemala
A five-goal surge from battling Guatemala earned a lopsided win for the Central Americans on 26 March. A brace apiece for top scorer Carlos ‘The Little Fish' Ruiz and Dwight Pezzarrosi spelled the largest scoreline in the region's final round of qualifying. Despite the lopsided victory, it is the only match in which Ramon Maradiaga's men have scored in the final round. A 0-0 draw against Panama and a 2-0 loss to the U.S. put things in a bit of perspective. Still, currently in third place, the Central Americans will be happy enough for the time being as they chase their first finals appearance.
6.) Strained tempers flare up
The six-match schedule in the region saw two sendings-off, but only one side was ultimately made to pay for their lack of discipline. Jose Luis Lopez was dismissed for Costa Rica on 26 March against Panama, leaving the home team to struggle for nearly the entire second half with ten men. But despite the one-man disadvantage, Roy Myre's 91st-minute goal saw them shade the game 2-1. Mexico were less lucky on their 30 March travels to Panama. The home team, seemingly learning their lesson, forced El Tri to leave two points in Panama City in a 1-1 draw after Pavel Pardo was sent off in minute 57. These two are the only expulsions so far in nine final-round ‘Hexagonal' games.
7.) Outsiders looking in
In only their first trip to the final round of CONCACAF qualifying, Panama are keen to cause a sensation. Not known for their footballing pedigree, there has never been a better time for the unfancied Panamanians to overcome the ultimate hurdle. Currently in fifth place with only two points, realistically they would only have to finish fourth to have a chance at qualifying for Germany 2006. As opposed to previous tournaments, CONCACAF now has three and a half places at the finals. The fourth-placed finisher will take on Asia's fifth-placed team in a two-legged play-off. Guatemala, currently in third place, are licking their lips as well as they begin to realistically contemplate World Cup football for the first time.
North, Central American and Caribbean qualifying resumes on 4 June when T&T meet Panama, Costa Rica travel to the U.S. and Guatemala host Mexico.
