COLUMBUS, Ohio – What better way to qualify for the World Cup than by beating Mexico? Or, what better way than by beating the United States?
The archrivals get that opportunity to clinch a spot in Germany 2006 by winning tonight. Even a tie might be enough for both sides, but neither country is thinking about draws in what has become one of soccer’s most heated series.
“The reason I know how special this game is, is on Sunday night, a full week before the game, I was already thinking about the game laying in bed,” U.S. star Landon Donovan said.
Either side advances with a win. A tie would mean the U.S. team needs Trinidad and Tobago to tie Guatemala and Panama to either win or tie against Costa Rica.
– Associated Press
Mexico clinch berth
Mexico clinched their fourth straight World Cup berth yesterday, routing Panama 5-0 while preventing the visitors from a single serious shot on goal.
In other North and Central American and Caribbean region qualifiers, the United States, who had already booked their spot at next year’s World Cup in Germany, played out a scoreless draw with Guatemala, while Costa Rica kept their finals hopes alive with a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
With two games remaining, Mexico and the United States lead the Concacaf standings on 19 points, ahead of Costa Rica with 13, Guatemala with eight
Mexico needs draw to secure WC berth
Mexico needs only a draw Wednesday at home against Panama to secure a World Cup berth and perhaps mend its wounded pride after Saturday's 2-0 loss to the United States.
The trip to Germany next year would be Mexico's 13th appearance in the World Cup finals and fourth straight.
Sitting in last place in the six-team final round of CONCACAF qualifiying, Panama would be eliminated with a loss at Azteca Stadium and a victory by either Trinidad and Tobago or Guatemala.
The United States, which qualified for its fifth straight World Cup on Saturday, leads standings in
World Cup qualifiers: Mexico books berth, England loses
Mexico qualified for the World Cup by crushing nine-man Panama 5-0 at the Azteca Stadium.
Luis Perez, Rafael Marquez, Jared Borgetti, Francisco Fonseca and captain Pavel Pardo shared the goals on Wednesday, As mexico booked their place in Germany with two games to spare, and became the ninth team to qualify.
Mexico went ahead on the half hour when striker Luis Perez collected a rebound on his chest and volleyed home from the edge of the area.
Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez increased Mexico's lead in the 54th minute when he headed in Pavel Pardo's free kick
Japan beats Mexico 6-1 in WBC
Jim Allen Daily Yomiuri Sportswriter With its back to the wall, Japan remained alive in the World Baseball Classic with an inspiring 6-1 victory over Mexico at Angel Stadium on Tuesday.
Japan will qualify for a berth in Saturday's semifinals by beating South Korea on Wednesday and not allowing more than six runs in the process.
Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka pointed Pool 1 toward a 1-2 Asian finish by working five scoreless innings and posting Japan's first win in the quarterfinal round. South Korea, the only undefeated team in the 16-nation tournament, is almost assured of
Mexico denies Iran Universiade quarters berth
Mexico shattered Iran's hopes for advancement to the last eight of the football tournament of the 23rd Universiade here Sunday.
Iran, which was a draw from quarterfinals, presented the place to Mexico as the South American side won the deciding match 3-1.
Both sides collected four points, but Mexico joined the already qualified Czech on goal difference.
Mexico netted twice before the interval and added another in the second half to beat the nine-man Iran.
The Iranian squad beat England 2-1 in their opening match, but it was held by the Czech to a 2-2
Soccer: Mexico denies Iran Universiade quarters berth
Mexico shattered Iran's hopes for advancement to the last eight of the football tournament of the 23rd Universiade in Izmir, Turkey on Sunday.
Iran, which was a draw away from quarterfinals, presented the place to Mexico as the South American side won the deciding match 3-1.
Both sides collected four points, but Mexico joined the already qualified Czech on goal difference.
Mexico netted twice before the interval and added another in the second half to beat the nine-man Iran.
The Iranian squad defeated England 2-1 in their opening match, but it was held by
US Soccer Team Beats Mexico, 2-0, Earns Berth in 2006 World Cup
The U.S. Men's Soccer team has defeated Mexico, two-nothing, to earn a berth in next year's World Cup in Germany. The U.S. men are the first team from the North, Central American and Caribbean region to book a place in the World Cup.
The match was even through the first 53 minutes, but then Oguchi Onyewu deflected teammate Eddie Lewis's free kick in front of Mexico's goal.
Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez sprawled across the goalmouth to try to stop Onyewu and when the shot ricocheted off the goalpost, Steve Ralston
YOU WERE THERE: Manzanillo Dirt-Road Bicycle Tour delivered for Province reader
Last winter's wish for an active sun-drenched Christmas holiday that combined our love of bicycle touring and travelling in Mexico led us to the Manzanillo Dirt-Road Bicycle Tour.
Organized by Peter Marcus of Gabriola Cycle and Kayak specifically for the Christmas vacation period (Dec. 20-31), this tour promised to appeal to travellers who wanted something other than the "all-inclusive-resort" experience.
It delivered.
Beginning in Santiago, near Manzanillo, over a period of 10 days, we stayed in four towns and villages and rode about 400 kilometres.
During this time, we experienced different combinations of paved
The question sounded something like this: "How special would it be if a victory over Mexico clinched a World Cup berth?"
Landon Donovan, a forward for the United States soccer team, broke into a grin. Words were not necessary, but he offered some, anyway.
"It would be the best possible ending to our qualifying," Donovan said.
The response highlighted the magnitude of the United States-Mexico soccer rivalry, which dates to 1934.
On Wednesday night, the United States knocked off Trinidad and Tobago, 1-0, in a World Cup qualifier, and Mexico defeated Costa Rica, 2-0.
Coming off those relatively easy victories, these kings of Concacaf will
Mexico 5, Guatemala 2
Francisco Fonseca scored four goals as Mexico defeated Guatemala 5-2 on Saturday in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier, damaging Guatemala's chances for making the tournament.
Mexico and the United States already have qualified for the 2006 World Cup, and Costa Rica claimed the third berth Saturday by beating the Americans at home.
The fourth-place team in the region - likely Guatemala or Trinidad and Tobago - will face either Bahrain or Uzbekistan in a two-game playoff.
But Guatemala's loss in this central Mexican city handed Trinidad and Tobago a two-point advantage going into the final round Wednesday. Guatemala plays
