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Canadian striker Wyn Belotte scored one of two goals as Canada eased past El Salvador
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11/14/2002 12:18:56 PM
Canada, USA Deadlocked Atop Group B
Charleston SC.Canada scored goals on either side of halftime, defeating El Salvador 2:0, while hosts the USA out-muscled Haiti 2:0 to leave the teams tied atop Group B of the FC Under-20 Final Qualifying Tournament at Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina.The top two teams in the group will earn the final CONCACAF berths to the FIFA World Youth Championship United Arab Emirates 2003.
Canada controlled their match from the outset, almost taking the early lead on three minutes, Elliott Godfrey’s shot from the right of the box saved at the last possible second by a diving Walvin Zetino. With Zetino unable to control the rebound, Godfrey was first to the loose ball, but his second effort did not challenge the ‘keeper.
As the Maple Leafs continued to maintain pressure in the attacking third of the field, El Salvador looked to open the scoring through the counter-attack, creating their best chance of the first half in the 23rd minute. Midfielder Dennis Alas opened some space for himself behind the Canadian defence, only to see his effort go right at Canada ‘keeper Karim Alim.
Having survived the threat, Canada again looked to get on the scoreboard first. Wyn Belotte saw his left-footed blast in the 35th minute sail just left of the goal before Josh Simpson’s header hit the woodwork behind Zetino a minute later to maintain the deadlock.
Just as the teams appeared headed to the interval scoreless, Godfrey opened the scoring, running onto a Waldemar Dutra cross on the left of the box and slotting past Zetino.
The second half began as the first had ended, Canada again looking to attack with El Salvador content to defend. It didn’t take long for the Canadians to double the lead, Simpson’s lofted pass across the box finding Belotte, his low blast easily getting past Zetino, who has come off his line to intercept the pass.
Though both teams exchanged blows in the final half-hour, neither was able to find the goal, Canada wrapping ensuring itself of the victory and now positioned atop the group awaiting their match Friday with Haiti.
The USA had the better of the play the in the evening’s second match, opening a two-goal lead by the interval and cruising to a 2:0 comfortable victory.
Despite maintaining possession throughout the first half, the USA did little to create quality scoring chances before Eddie Johnson opened the hosts’ account in the 26th minute. The Dallas Burn midfielder jumped over two Haitian defenders to collect a Justin Mapp cross at the far post before rifling his first-time shot past ‘keeper Ronel Saint Louis to give the hosts the 1:0 advantage.
Johnson also played a major role in the USA’s second marker. After collecting a ball in the midfield in the 43rd minute, he fired a pass to Santino Quaranta, who held off a defender at the top of the box just long enough to gather and send it far post on the half-turn to double the lead at the interval.
The better of the chances in the second half belonged to the USA as well. The hosts’ best opportunity coming as Johnson nearly added his second of the match in the 58th, his header the conclusion to a spectacular exhibition of passing during which four different players touched the ball in rapid succession, and kept out of the Haiti goal only when Saint Louis dove to the lower left corner to deny him.
Even with their lack of possession, Haiti did attempt to get back into the match in the latter stages of the half, nearing trimming the USA lead almost ten minutes from time. Second-half substitute Ricardo Pierre Louis was first to a cross in the area and put his first-time shot past USA ‘keeper Steve Cronin, only to see it sail wide of the goal.
After the overcoming the Haitian threat, the USA settled into the defensive third of the field, seemingly content to hold on to the lead, putting them level on three points with their border rivals to the North as a match with El Salvador awaits.
Ticket Prices
Series Ticket
West Midfield Club Seats – $40 (save $20 over individual sessions)
East Midfield Club Seats – $30 (save $15)
Sideline Bleachers – 20 (save $10)
Individual Sessions
West Midfield Clubs Seats – $20
East Midfield Club Seats – $15
Sideline Bleachers – $10
Tickets for the qualifying tournament are currently available at all Ticketmaster outlets throughout the Carolinas (including Publix and Cat’s Music Stores), by phone at 843-554-6060, on-line at ussoccer.com and at Blackbaud Stadium (office open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm). Series and group tickets are available through the Charleston Battery at 843-971-4625 or U.S. Soccer at 312-528-1249. Click here for complete ticket information.
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Canada's Wyn Belotte
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USA's Jordan Harvey
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Ricardo Clarke, USA and Furman
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Flagbearers before the match
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