Costa Rica clinches last semi-final spot with draw

(CNS): A 1-1 draw with Jamaica was enough for Costa Rica to progress to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 championship following Monday night’s critical match. The Central Americans took second place in group A with 4 points, two more than Jamaica.  Meanwhile, having already qualified the US finished with a perfect 3-0-0 record to win the group after destroying Guatemala 10-0 in the last match of the competition for the Central American team at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. The line-up for the semis in group B will be decided this evening when Mexico face Trinidad to decide the group winners and Cayman’s ladies have a last chance to put a score on the board when they face Honduras in a game that will be more about pride than competition.

Although Cayman and Honduras are already out of the contest the hosts have one final game to play before their tournament is completely over and they will be looking to grab the three points and avoid finishing bottom of the group. Cayman Islands Women’s Under-20 Head Coach Joe Supe told Cayman 27 after the teams defeat against Trinidad that the focus was what the women had learned in the competition including  “the experience that they got, the exposure that they got and understanding what it takes to play against tough opponents.” Supe said he was impressed with the way the players fought despite some lopsided scores. “Impressed with the level of play, impressed with how they play and they lasted 90 minutes,” the coach added.

Meanwhile, the tournament rolls on for the four semi-finalists three of which will advance to the finals in Canada. The winners of the match between Mexico and Trinidad this evening will avoid the unstoppable USA but the losers will face the record breaking team that is dominating the Concacaf nations.