Gold Cup Update
The group stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup ends tonight with a game of real interest between Mexico and Panama. With Canada and Costa Rica qualifying from Group A, the U.S. and Guatemala from Group B and Honduras from Group C, we're only waiting to see who the other team from Group C will be and who will face the U.S. in the quarter finals on Saturday. A win for Mexico tonight would put them through second, while a draw would set up an early meeting with the U.S. I reckon we'd rather see Panama on Saturday, so I'm all about Mexico winning tonight. Say it with me - "Mexico - ole!" The game starts at 10 p.m. tonight as will shown live on Univision.
posted by gatorbob @ 8:58 PM
40 Comments:
This is my first time looking at Reliant Stadium, which apparently is in Houston. And bloody hell it's big. You can bet that the Dynamo won't be playing in this barn anytime soon. It's massive - and has the same atmosphere as the Azteca.
Mexico, Mexico - aye, aye, aye!
Early chance for the Tricolors with a header just over the bar. Nicely lively start.
And a headed chance for the Panamanians there. The Mexican keeper didn't look to clever there.
A really close call there for Mexico, with a Panama free kick floated in from the left and a header against the post. They are living on borrowed time here.
You know, these Panama lads are no mugs. They're having a real go at Mexico here and why not? They've got nothing to lose. They're already through to the quarters and they have a chance to really upset the applecart in this tournament.
A bit of handbags here involving both sets of players. The referee is seemingly just standing aside and letting them shove themselves about for a minute or two. It ends with no cards shown but a dropped ball - wtf?
The game's settling down a bit as we're about half way through the first half. Still waiting for Borgetti to do his magic.
Closest thing yet for Mexico. A ball floated in by Pavel, knock down by Borgetti and a shot rocketed off the post. That would've been a sweet goal.
Hiya Gator,
I've been watching this upstairs before I realized that this is a channel I get in the basement too.
I'm here now.
I don't think much of this Mexican team. They're losing the ball very cheaply and the left winger looks a bit bitty to me.
But I bet they'd bring on the big guns, Fonseca and that clown with the cough mask on his head.
I have to agree about this Tico ref. Hopeless and I've seen him ruin more than one match in this conference.
Sorry, mate, I was temporarily checking out your IMP page. Loads of good mixes on there and I appreciate the shout outs.
Half-time - 0-0; This is not looking good for the win we're looking for so that the Mexicans will avoid the U.S. on Saturday. I don't know what's up with Borgetti; has that stint at Bolton ruined him? Apart from that one against the post, it's been dire and Panama could easily be in front. Hugo Sanchez doesn't look happy.
Creative refereeing aside, I'll be looking for much better in the second half.
I'm afraid we've seen the best of my man Borghetti. I used to like him because he played like a British center forward, big target, strong in holding up the ball, and scored masses with his head. Now he's a shadow of that guy.
And here's another lost talent. Torrado hasn't put in a decent 90 minutes for el Tri since 2002. He was massive, but I guess that injury and year's layoff he suffered playing in Italy for Parma took its toll.
I still believe the Mexicans have too much quality for Panama. No they're no mugs as you say, but I've seen them wilt in the final 20 many times in WC qualifiers that I'm expecting an eventual Tri tre-puntos.
I hope you're right, mate, because - as tempting as it is to think that we could turn El Tri over on this form - we all know that they get up for a game against the Yanquis.
Man, these Panamanians are getting their chances, no?
Second half starting and the Mexicans are nearly caught out again. What's happened to their defense?
Panama lining up another dangerous free kick....
And it's a dribbler right into the keeper's hands. Whew!
This is not looking good so far, eh mate?
Blimey, the Mexican defense was napping again there - and from a throw! Could easily been a goal if not for the wasteful attacking.
I don't really understand what's going on here. You would think that Hugo can see that this isn't working and that he needs to mix this up with a new player or two.
Gooooooooooooooool! 1-0 Mexico!
Finally. It wasn't pretty. Basically the kind of goal that England used to get from Bryan Robson or David Platt. Long throw from the right, a knock on from Borgetti and a tap in at the back post. That'll do nicely.
The ball's in the net again...this time for Panama, but fortunately the whistle had already gone for offside.
OK, talk about napping. Where was that Panamanian defense there? Ah well, the Tri score and that's good for the US. And then what the hell? The Mexican's are saved by the linesman.
This is the right move. Isquerda, Direcha, it doesn't matter. Fonseca is the right guy.
Panama will be really unlucky to lose here. They've hit the post about three times, had one cleared off the line and one called off for offside.
Oh, Guardado, you are a waster!
Guadardo squanders another good chance. That's the last I want to see of him.
Jesus, one of these Panamanian chances just has to go in based on the law of averages.
Oh Jesus, that was nearly the most comical goal of the tournament, with the Mexican defender rocketing a clearance off a Panamanian guy, almost straight in.
The stadium looks good, but what about the pitch? It looks as if the Children of the Corn have been at it!
If that guy Escobar knows he's on a card, what is he doing wellying into Guadardo at that area of the pitch? Really stupid second yellow there.
Well, that's Panama done after one of their lot is red carded for a silly shove that sends Guardado into the advertising hoardings.
The paint's coming up.
I don't know about Sanchez. That was clownish.
I reckon he'd had enough, eh?
Oh dear oh dear, Panama are down to nine men! They've completely lost their heads. And it's Guardado who's the victim again. They must really not like his nappy perm.
And fortunately Guardado's been pulled off before he's had eight shades of shite kicked out of him by the desperate Panamanians.
Now Panama down to nine after another very silly second yellow. Actually the replay shows that the Mexican really made a meal of that. Shameful.
Still, adios Panama. Can't see them coming back from this now with only nine and I think only one sub left.
And on comes a defensive mid guy in Lozano. Couldn't tell you what the Panamanian sub does on the pitch.
Strangely enough, though, after all of this comedy, a simple Sanchez punch into his own net would be enough to put Panama in second place.
OK, so this means the US plays who, Panama or Honduras next?
The U.S. will get Panama on Saturday. Should be a simple one for us, especially given those two red cards at the end. Yeah, they're announcing it for 4 p.m.
Mexico will place second in the group with Honduras on top. Honduras will get Guadelupe, who placed third in Group A.
Mexico finish very poor winners. But I think this means we play Panama who will miss at least two of their starting 11, not counting anybody who picked up a second yellow in the group stage.
Good result for the US.
Good chatting with you, mate. I'm looking forward to a weekend of footie and blogging. Cheers!
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