Barbados, Trinidad come up with stunning wins

Barbados, Trinidad come up with stunning wins

July 17: Underdogs Barbados and Trinidad produced wshock wins as the semifinal group stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying competition began on Tuesday.

Barbados came from behind in Bridgetown to beat Costa Rica 2-1 with an 89th minute goal by Michael Forde while Trinidad produced a stunning 2-0 upset away to Canada.

Jamaica and Mexico, both making their debuts after receiving byes, won 1-0 away to St Vincent and Panama respectively but the United States were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw in Guatemala after conceding a late equaliser.

The day's most impressive performance came from Honduas who hammered neighbours El Salvador 5-2 away.

Canada's defenders had concentrated on marking Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke in Edmonton, only to fall behind in the 43rd minute to Angus Eve who plays for a more modest Trinidad outfit called Joe Public.

Yorke settled the points for Trinidad, who have never qualified for a World Cup, with a solo goal in the 73rd minute of the Group C game.

In the same group, favourites Mexico overcame underdogs Panama with an 88th-minute goal by Miguel Zepeda after the home side had dominated the first half and missed two excellent chances to go ahead through Percival Piggott.

Barbados' shock win came in Group E, where Costa Rica and the United States had begun as firm favourites to go through.

The game appeared to be going to form when Alejandro Madrigal put the Central Americans ahead in the 48th minute, but Llewellyn Riley equalised one minute later for Barbados, who have already played eight games to reach this stage.

Costa Rica had dominated the first half but striker Paolo Wanchope had a miserable night, missing three easy chances and seeing two more saved by goalkeeper Horace Stoute.

The United States took a halftime lead through Ante Razovin Mazatenango only to see the tables turned after the break when Guatemala took control, twice hit the crossbar and were rewarded when Carlos Ruiz equalised with two minutes left.

Honduras' rout came in Group D and was another major shock. The bitter rivalry between El Salvador and Honduras, who went to war following a World Cup match 30 years ago, usually produces tight contests.

Elias Montes gave El Salvador an early lead but then Honduras took complete control, going on to win with two goals by Carlos Pavon and one each from Samuel Caballero, Dany Turcios and substitute David Suazo. Honduras could easily have doubled their tally, with Milton Nunez missing a second-half penalty.

Jamaica, aiming for a repeat of 1998 when they reached the World Cup finals, began their attempt with an uninspiring 1-0 win away to rank outsiders St Vincent. Onandi Lowe scored the winner in the 23rd minute after a defensive blunder by St Vincent captain Ezra Henderson.