Heartache for Guatemala
ByReuters
Published 13/10/2005 at 06:14 GMT
Guatemala's hopes of a first World Cup finals appearance ended on Wednesday despite beating Costa Rica 3-1 in their final CONCACAF zone game. Trinidad & Tobago's 2-1 win over Mexico earn them fourth spot in the final stage and a two-legged playoff aga
Eurosport
Image credit: Eurosport
Elmer Ponciano opened the scoring in the second minute and Freddy Garcia made it 2-0 after a quarter of an hour with a long-range shot.
In the 31st minute, U.S.-based Carlos "The Fish" Ruiz added a third with a spectacular bicycle kick, his 12th goal of the qualifiers.
There was more good news for the home side when Jaime Lozano put Mexico ahead in Port-of-Spain. However, Guatemala's dreams ended when Stern John scored twice to give the Soca Warriors all three points.
Costa Rica pulled one back in the 50th minute when Roy Myrie dispossessed goalkeeper Miguel Klee and scored from a narrow angle.
They could have further reduced the deficit in the 85th minute but Jafet Soto missed a penalty.
Mexico, the United States and Costa Rica had already taken the three direct places.
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