OFC Third Round Schedule

The final four in Oceania will face off in a double round-robin format featuring three pairs of matchdays.  The top team in the OFC Third Round advances to the Intercontinental Playoffs against the fourth-place team from CONCACAF.  The other three teams will be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

The draw for the fixtures took place in Auckland on 26 June 2012.  2012 OFC Nations Cup winners Tahiti face off against OFC Third Round favorites New Zealand in a home-and-home series in October 2012 in what could prove to be the decisive fixtures.  Without the compact schedule and stifling heat with which the teams had to contend during the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, expect New Zealand to advance from the group with Tahiti coming in second place. 

7 September 2012
New Zealand at New Caledonia
Tahiti at Solomon Islands

11 September 2012
Solomon Islands at New Zealand
New Caledonia at Tahiti

12 October 2012
New Caledonia at Solomon Islands
New Zealand at Tahiti

16 October 2012
Solomon Islands at New Caledonia
Tahiti at New Zealand

22 March 2013
New Caledonia at New Zealand
Solomon Islands at Tahiti

26 March 2013
Tahiti at New Caledonia
New Zealand at Solomon Islands

Guatemala 1 - United States of America 1; Antigua and Barbuda 0 - Jamaica 0

Antigua and Barbuda, looking to make a splash in their first home match in a CONCACAF Third Round, welcomed the Reggae Boyz of Jamaica to North Sound.  The Benna Boys nearly took the lead, but leading goalscorer Peter Byers had no clue that a nice ball had been played to his feet in the six-yard box, and Byers nearly tripped over the ball as he took a meek shot.  Antigua were better over the whole of the half, but they could not move the scoreboard away from 0-0.

Antigua continued to be the better side and had the lion's share of the ball.  Six minutes in, Demar Phillips nearly own goaled for Jamaica, but the gods decided to spare him.  Just beyond the hour mark, a Tamarley Thomas cross beat the entire Jamaican defense but sailed just one centimeter too high for an open Randolph Burton to head home an opener.  Three minutes later a Jevaughn Watson pass against the run of play found Luton Shelton, who fired a shot into the near post that let Antigua off the hook.  Byers had a couple more chances go begging later in the match.  The match finished 0-0, so Antigua record their first ever positive result against Caribbean powers Jamaica.

The United States of America entered tonight's dance with Guatemala on a seventeen-match unbeaten streak against the Chapines, and that run would stretch to eighteen today.  The crowd in Guatemala City was given plenty to cheer in the opening minutes by forward Mario Rodriguez, but none of his various efforts resulted in goals for the Chapines.  It took forty minutes, but the USA were able to finally get a ball into Clint Dempsey.  The Texan then calmly dodged two defenders whose slide tackles came up empty in the box.  At this point Dempsey slotted home underneath the goalkeeper to give the Yanks a tenuous 1-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the game continued to be quite closed.  Marco Pappa had come off the bench for the Chapines, and he was a difference maker.  At the midway point of the half, he hit a wicked shot that was blocked away by American goalkeeper Tim Howard and into the path of Carlos Ruiz, who then skied the rebound shot.  Eleven minutes from time, the USA were in on goal after Dempsey had snuck a through ball for Jozy Altidore as Dempsey was being fouled, but the referee decided to stop play instead of playing the advantage, a foolish decision considering Altidore had only the goalkeeper to beat.  The reprieve reawakened Guatemala.  Carlos Figueroa (pictured, white) forced a good save from Howard, but Pappa finished the job with a finely taken free kick that curled over the USA wall and under Howard's crossbar.  The final score is 1-1.

USA 4 pts +2
Jamaica 4 pts +1
Guatemala 1 pts -1
Antigua 1 pts -2

Goals
United States of America
Clint Dempsey 40

Guatemala
Marco Pappa 83

Match Reports:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120613/sports/sports1.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/06/12/us.guatemala.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/grant_wahl/06/12/us.guatemala.three.thoughts/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBgCzUtSo2U (Antigua v. Jamaica)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98tJmnmeWmA (Guatemala v. USA)

Mexico 2 - El Salvador 1; Costa Rica 4 - Guyana 0

Guyana played their first ever home match in a CONCACAF Third Round when Costa Rica came to call at Georgetown.  The crowd was treated to exciting football with both teams playing positively.  Shaky defending in the back by the Golden Jaguars allowed Ticos striker Alvaro Saborio to bag the opener on twenty minutes as a weak rolling pass made its way to his feet.  Gregory Richardson nearly found an equalizer soon thereafter, but his header hit the crossbar and then the goal line without going in.  Saborio made it 2-0 to Costa Rica six minutes after his opener after his header finished the hard work done by a pinpoint Joel Campbell cross.  The half ended 2-0.

Saborio certainly had no complaints about the service he received on this night.  Michael Barrantes provided another picture perfect cross for Saborio's head to easily tap home for a 3-0 lead on the back of Saborio's hat trick.  Campbell capped off the match with a lofted chip over a goalkeeper who had strayed too far off his line.  Costa Rica win 4-0.

2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions Mexico played their first road match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in San Salvador against El Salvador.  The hospitality for Mexico was great; the Salvadoran fans even took it upon themselves to throw a party outside the hotel at which Mexico were stationed the night before the match in order to celebrate their presence in San Salvador!  The tactic seemed to work as Mexico came out of the gates slowly, but El Salvador did not look as dangerous as one would expect a home side to be.  The half ended as it began, 0-0.

A long through ball from the touch line was enough to give Mexico the break through on the hour mark.  Jesus Zavala was the recipient of the pass, and he curled his shot around the oncoming goalkeeper to give Mexico a 1-0 lead.  Five minutes later, Alfredo Pacheco responded with a beautiful free kick goal that he curled around a wall and into the bottom corner of the goal.  The match was equalized and should in all honesty have ended 1-1.  Mexico were able to escape with a win after a highly disputed goal.  A free kick for Mexico was swung into the Salvadoran penalty area very short of its intended target.  Mexico center back Francisco Rodriguez may or may not have grazed the ball as he attempted to leap over its bounce.  If he did touch it, then two Mexican players were both five yards offside before Hector Moreno's lucky double-header goal.  Moreno's initial header went off the Salvadoran goalkeeper's chest before it rebounded off Moreno's head and back into the goal, giving Mexico a 2-1 advantage with less than ten minutes to play.  Mexico win 2-1 with the aid of the disputed goal call.

Mexico 6 pts +3
Costa Rica 4 pts +4
El Salvador 1 pts -1
Guyana 0 pts -6

Goals
Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 20, 26, 52
Joel Campbell 77

Mexico
Jesus Zavala 60
Hector Moreno 82

El Salvador
Alfredo Pachecho 65

Match Reports:
http://www.guyanachronicleonline.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44874:2014-brazil-world-cup-qualifiers-&catid=12:sports&Itemid=4
http://insider.espn.go.com/sports/soccer/blog?name=mexican_national_team&id=8045656&_slug_=el-tri-grading-player-performances-world-cup-qualifier-win-el-salvador&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fsports%2fsoccer%2fblog%3fname%3dmexican_national_team%26id%3d8045656%26_slug_%3del-tri-grading-player-performances-world-cup-qualifier-win-el-salvador
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72581/el-salvador-vs-mexico/report
http://www.lasoccernews.com/international/mexico/mexico2.php?article_id=8576

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMGLgkO-_fw (Costa Rica v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AhjdlEj2FlE (Mexico v. El Salvador)

Honduras 0 - Canada 0; Panama 1 - Cuba 0

Canada welcomed Honduras to Toronto for their Group Three match.  The Canucks had total control of the match the full way through, but they could never translate their dominance onto the scoreboard.  Dwayne De Rosario created two chances for himself in the opening half hour, but he could not find the proper finishing definition.  In the best chance of the first half, Honduran Antony Lozano fired to the side of the Canadian goal after a great pass in by Oscar Boniek Garcia.  The game was scoreless at the break.

In the second period, Canada looked very likely to break the seal on the Honduran goal, but Canadian set piece after dangerous set piece failed to see the headed finishes they so deserved.  The first came via a header missed by Edgar David.  Honduran Roger Espinoza (pictured, white) almost scored on a laser with two minutes left, but his shot sailed high by mere centimeters.  In stoppage time, Canada had two set piece headers that would have won the match, but Kevin McKenna and David again were unable to capitalize.  Canada will be disappointed with the 0-0 result as they outshot Honduras twelve to six and created the majority of the chances on the night.

La Marea Roja welcomed Cuba to Panama City in Group Three play tonight.  Panama were not nearly as effective as they had been in Honduras four days earlier.  The opening half was frustrating for Panama, but at least they did not concede a goal in a 0-0 first forty-five.

In the second period, Nelson Barahona found himself open with acres of space.  He gathered his wits and proceeded to fire an unstoppable shot into the upper ninety to give the fans something about which to cheer: a 1-0 lead for Panama.  At the tail end of the match, Panama's goalkeeper Jaime Pinedo lost his nerve a bit as hit misplayed a couple crosses, but luckily for the home side both chances for Cuba were devoid of goals.  Panama win 1-0 and now top Group Three.

Panama 6 pts +3
Canada 4 pts +1
Honduras 1 pts -2
Cuba 0 pts -2

Goals
Panama
Nelson Barahona 58

Match Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/742333--canada-honduras-play-to-0-0-draw-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1210472--world-cup-soccer-canada-ties-honduras-0-0-in-qualifying
http://metronews.ca/sports/260967/canada-ties-honduras-0-0-in-world-cup-qualifying-match/
http://news.cubasi.cu/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=1482:panama-defeats-cuba-1-0


Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpljUQ-rXG8 (Honduras v. Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sy-MQFTNJ1s (Panama v. Cuba)

Qatar 0 - Iran 0; South Korea 3 - Lebanon 0

South Korea faced off against Lebanon in Goyang, the third meeting between the two sides in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Lebanon and South Korea had split their two previous meetings, and the lower-ranked Cedars looked sharp at the start.  Ahmad Zreik fired a rocket toward the South Korean goal, but his ball skimmed the top of the crossbar.  At the half hour mark, the fancied favorites pushed into the lead when Lee Keun-Ho's nice cross found Kim Bo-Kyung, who from there proceeded to unleash a bomb with his left foot for his first international goal.  The strike struck the hands of the goalkeeper Ziad El Samad, but nevertheless went in off the underside of the crossbar.  The Taegeuk Warriors led 1-0 at the break

Shortly after the resumption of the festivities, Kim Bo-Kyung had his second international goal.  El Samad continued to have trouble with Kim Bo-Kyung, this time charging off his line only to be chipped quite easily by the South Korean winger.  The match began to even out from then on, but a bad turnover by Hussein Dakik in his own half circle led to a masterpiece third goal from Koo Ja-Cheol.  Koo stripped Dakik and took one step before leaving El Samad rooted to the ground with his perfectly placed strike.  South Korea win 3-0.

Qatar for the second time in the past five months faced a qualifying test on the road in Tehran against Iran before 100,000 spectators.  Iran always looked the stronger side in this match, but Team Melli could not breach the Qatari goal.  Qatar goalkeeper Qasem Burhan had a game for the ages.  He may have even covered more ground than some of his defenders with the long runs he made to snag cross after cross and corner and corner within his box.  With Burhan playing like a man possessed, Iran were under pressure to find a solitary goal.  On the hour mark, Iran captain Javad Nekounam gathered with his chest and turned on a dime to fire off the volley, but his effort hit the crossbar.  Kasola Mohammed (pictured, burgundy #3) nearly gave the visitors the lead five minutes on, but his effort was saved.

In the second period, Qatar appeared to keep nine players behind the ball in order to play for a road draw.  Parking the bus did the job as Iran were thoroughly frustrated for the duration of the second half.  For the third time in three matches, Qatar and Iran played to a draw, this time by a 0-0 scoreline.

South Korea 6 pts +4
Iran 4 pts +1
Qatar 4 pts -2
Uzbekistan 1 pts -1
Lebanon 1 pts -4

Goals
South Korea
Kim Bo-Kyung 30, 48
Koo Ja-Cheol 90

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1648351/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1648658/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/12/2080.ap.soc.iran.qatar.1st.ld.writethru.288/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh9ja8UYsxc&list=UUrFQLqsYh2awrD2NqD8LPpw&index=2&feature=plcp (South Korea v. Lebanon)

Japan 1 - Australia 1; Oman 1 - Iraq 1

Japan and Australia got the day of qualifying underway with the highly anticipated rematch of the 2011 AFC Asian Cup final won by Japan in extra time.  The setting was Brisbane, but the Samurai Blue looked to make themselves at home abroad.  Mark Bresciano had to be subbed off the pitch for an injury very early in the match, forcing Australia to sub in Mark Milligan (pictured, yellow #3).  Milligan had an adventurous day to say the least.  The first half saw some up and down action that was not expected from this clash of Asia's top teams.  Tim Cahill nearly nicked an opener for the Socceroos after some clever dribbling, but Eiji Kawashima stopped his shot in the early going.  Lucas Neill (pictured, yellow #2) nearly scored for Australia, but his errant shot turned into an even better opportunity for Alex Brosque.  Fullback Atsuto Uchida was able to rise and block Brosque's shot with his body, and the threat was averted.  In spite of the flurry of goal chances, the score at the half was 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second frame, Milligan picked up his second yellow card, getting himself sent off and allowing Japan to play with a man advantage.  Keisuke Honda showed no mercy, and his tricky corner kick play earned his team the lead.  Honda played a short corner and saw that his man had gone to the ball.  The ball was played back to Honda as he ran toward the near post, forcing the goalkeeper to commit to him.  Honda then laid the ball off across the six-yard box, where centerback Yuzo Kurihara was available for the tap in.  Japan led 1-0 at this point, but it was to be short lived.  On an Australia set piece, Atsuto Uchida was whistled for a penalty for grabbing Alex Brosque by the waist and flinging him out of the way of the goalkeeper as the ball was coming to Brosque.  Luke Wilshire (pictured, yellow, far right) converted the spot kick, and the match continued on with the score level.  Kurihara picked up his second yellow with a minute left in the match, but no damage was incurred for Japan as they saw out the draw.  Honda was actually standing over a dangerously placed free kick, but the referee whistled the match dead before Honda could execute his set piece.  The match finished 1-1.

Oman and Iraq traveled to Doha, Qatar to play a qualifier today in what was nominally a home match for vagabond Iraq.  A seemingly innocuous free kick from distance awarded to Oman turned into the opener when it floated into the box to find Mohammed Al Balushi, who used his head to make it 1-0.  Nearing the end of the opening period, Iraq started to come alive.  A deep free kick from Nashat Akram was parried aside by a sure-handed Ali Al Habsi, goalkeeper of Oman.  A Younis Mahmoud free kick soon thereafter was handled by a man in the wall during its flight, leading to a penalty which Mahmoud would convert for a 1-1 score.  The half finished with the same 1-1 score in place.

Just as in the first half, whenever a team saw an opening, their opponents would cynically take it away with a tactical foul.  With little more than twenty minutes to play, Raed Saleh made a great run for Oman toward the Iraqi goal, but he was felled outside the box to prevent a good shot.  With just ten minutes left, Mahmoud was fouled from behind in the box, but the referee did not see fit to award Iraq a second penalty. The next minute, Mahmoud again found himself free for a shot after dribbling and bouncing off defenders in the Omani penalty area.  Sadly, his own teammate Karrar Jasim decided to be selfish and got in the way of Mahmoud's shot, leading to Jasim being substituted immediately.  Despite Iraq's best efforts, they only found themselves a 1-1 draw.

Japan 7 pts +9
Iraq 2 pts 0
Australia 2 pts 0
Oman 2 pts -3
Jordan 1 pts -6

Goals
Japan
Yuzo Kurihara 65

Australia
Luke Wilshire 70 PK

Oman
Mohammed Al Balushi 8

Iraq
Younis Mahmoud 37 PK

Match Reports:
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1648335/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/12/2080.ap.soc.iraq.oman.1st.ld.writethru.340/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C89kDsM989U&feature=relmfu (Japan v. Australia)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyE33DPn7o (Oman v. Iraq)

Ecuador 1 - Colombia 0

Though Colombia were visiting neighboring Ecuador at the famed Atahualpa Stadium in Quito, the match we witnessed was incredibly lackluster.  The first half was one of the least memorable forty-five minutes of football ever seen, and needless to say it ended scoreless.

The second half was more memorable, but mostly because of a bit of good fortune.  A Walter Ayovi cross was accidentally flicked on by Colombian defender Aquivaldo Mosquera right into the path of Cristian Benitez's run to the far post.  Benitez was able to complete the goal with an easy header finish.  Benitez nearly gave himself a brace ten minutes after his goal that never should have been, but he struck both the crossbar and the post on the same shot.  Christian Noboa (pictured, yellow) was sent off for a vicious tackle in minute 86, giving Colombia a man advantage for a limited time.  It seemed for a time that James Rodriguez would create something for Colombia, but sadly his teammates were of no use today.  Ecuador win 1-0 and move into fourth place on the CONMEBOL table.

Chile 12 pts +1
Uruguay 11 pts +8
Argentina 10 pts +7
Ecuador 9 pts 0
Venezuela 8 pts -2
Colombia 7 pts 0
Bolivia 4 pts -4
Paraguay 4 pts -4
Peru 3 pts -5

Goals
Ecuador
Cristian Benitez 54

Match Reports:
http://www.el-nacional.com/noticia/38285/2/1-0--Ecuador-vence-a-Colombia-y-vuelve-a-zona-de-clasificacion-al-Mundial.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmXB0JytqAc&feature=g-all-u

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1TZJa4mj0o

Mali 2- Algeria 1; Rwanda 1 - Benin 1

The Amavubi of Rwanda came home to Kigali to face off with Benin.  The Amavubi were completely dominant throughout the match, generating lots of pressure and many scoring chances, but nothing ever seemed to come of their superiority.  The first half ended scoreless.

In the second period, Rwanda continued in the ascendancy, but it was Razak Omotoyossi for the second time in as many games who came through with a goal for Benin, this time completely against the run of play.  Benin led 1-0 until a late penalty call led to an ejection for Benin's Khaled Adenon in minute 85.  The resulting spot kick was converted, though the goalkeeper got a hand to the shot.  Rwanda had another chance go begging, and the Amavubi will be disappointed with the 1-1 draw.

Mali faced Algeria in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in the final match of CAF qualifying in 2012.  Mali were forced to move their home match abroad due to continuing civil unrest after the coup d'etat in April.  Nevertheless, the Malians were well supported in the crowd.  They must have been bitterly disappointed with their goalkeeper early because Soumaila Diakite botched an easy grab off a soft bounce with no pressure, leading to a tap-in goal on an open net to give Algeria a 1-0 advantage.  Goalscorer Islam Slimani almost got his second within twenty minutes when he slipped past Diakite, but Slimani fired wide on another open net.  The miss would prove costly five minutes later.  Mahamadou Ndiaye equalizer off a header from the penalty spot after Mali had earned a corner.  The 1-1 scoreline was maintained through the half.

With only ten minutes left to play, Mali earned themselves another corner.  The set piece ended up created a scramble in the box as the ball trickled off frame to the right of goal.  Mali's Mobido Maiga was first to the ball, and using the outside of his left foot, he crafted an inside-out swing chip into the roof of the net befitting a gamewinning goal.  Mali made the lead stand up and hold on to win 2-1.  The result means Benin lead Group H at the end of 2012.

Benin 4 pts +1

Algeria 3 pts +3
Mali 3 pts 0
Rwanda 1 pts -4

Goals
Benin
Razak Omotoyossi 74

Rwanda
Labama Kamana 88 PK

Mali
Mahamadou Ndiaye 30
Mobido Maiga 80

Algeria
Islam Slimani 7

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206100192.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110156.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77998/mali-vs-algeria/preview

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj_Qde4h8Bw (Rwanda v. Benin)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3HnvqwI7Zw (Mali v. Algeria)

Uruguay 4 - Peru 2

Uruguay looked for a win on CONMEBOL Matchday Six in order to keep pace with Chile atop the leaderboard.  Peru were the visiting opponents to the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.  In what would be an issue in both South American matches today, the officiating was terrible.  Uruguay's first goal came off a corner kick play.  Sebastian Coates's header was handled by Luis Suarez on its way into the goal, but the Brazilian referee Leandro Vuaden did not seem to mind, allowing Uruguay's 1-0 lead to stand.  Fifteen minutes later, Uruguay pounced on some poor passing in Peru's backline line, leading to a goal seconds later and a 2-0 lead.  A stunningly executed header into the own goal seemed to be karmic justice for the Suarez handball, so the halftime scoreline favored Uruguay 2-1.

Within five minutes of the resumption of play, Peru had their equalizer.  A deep thrown in found Paolo Guerrero with his back to the goal, but Guerrero managed to turn, shoot, and score even with Diego Godin's arms draped all over him.  Just before the hour mark, 2010 South Africa Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan stepped up to take a penalty kick, was his effort was amazingly turned away by a fingertip diving save from Peru's goalkeeper Diego Penny (pictured, green).  Cristian Rodriguez (pictured, blue #7) was substituted onto the pitch for Forlan, and within ten minutes of his debut, he had scored the go-ahead goal for 3-2.  Coates's initial header was turned away on a diving save by Penny, but a quick cross off the rebound found Rodriguez for a diving headed goal.  In the final minute of scheduled stoppage time, Peru had pushed everybody up on a set piece, including Penny.  After Uruguay cleared the ball, the match should have been whistled, but Vuaden continued to royally mess up the match by allowing play to continue, giving Uruguay an unnecessary and inexplicable opportunity to run down the field with a numerical advantage in attack and snatch a fourth goal in the dying moments.  Uruguay win the day 4-2.  Suarez will miss Uruguay's next match against Colombia due to accumulation of yellow cards.

Goals

Uruguay
Sebastian Coates 15
Maxi Pereira 30
Cristian Rodriguez 63
Sebastian Eguren 90+3

Peru
Diego Godin 40 OG
Paolo Guerrero 48

Match Reports:
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/11062012/2/uruguay-beat-peru-controversial-opening-goal.html
http://www.emirates247.com/sports/football/uruguay-beat-peru-4-2-in-world-cup-qualifier-2012-06-11-1.462464

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-nKdBW-vGo&feature=g-all-u

Egypt 3 - Guinea 2; Zimbabwe 0 - Mozambique 0

Zimbabwe visited Mozambique in Maputo in their Group G showdown today.  In a game featuring few chances, Zimbabwe had a great one with under five minutes left to play, but midfieldr Ovidy Karuru inexplicably passed up a chance to take a shot one-on-one with the goalkeeper in order to pass, letting the opportunity vanish.  The match went 0-0 into the locker rooms.

Pelembe Heider really made things interesting for the home side with his play for them in the second period, yet neither he nor anyone else could really get anything going, so the match ended up a scoreless draw.  Both Mozambique and Zimbabwe will have some serious work to do to catch Egypt in the race for Brasil 2014.

Egypt made the journey to Conarky to face Guinea in the crucial game in Group G.  Guinea were the brighter side early on, and they were able to earn themselves a penalty kick right before twenty minutes had elapsed.  The spot kick was converted for a 1-0 lead to the hosts.  Mohamed Salah (pictured, #19) blew an opportunity to equalize ten minutes on after a fine pass from Ahmed Fathi. Gedo (pictured #15)nearly equalized soon thereafter, but his shot struck a post and flew away.  The Guinea goal led a charmed life in the first period that the hosts won 1-0.

It took an hour, but Egypt finally got the goal they deserved when Mohamed Aboutrika (pictured, #22) finished off his first touch.  In minute 64, Guinea goalkeeper Naby Yattara was sent off for a high kick on Hosni Abd-Rabo (pictured, #8).  Aboutrika made the penalty kick to give Egypt a 2-1 lead.  With two minutes left and a man less, Guinea levelled the score through Alhassane Bangoura, who dropped two defenders with his moves before firing into a bottom corner, sparking relieved celebrations in Conakry.  However, deep into stoppage time, Salah finally atoned for his blown chance in the first period by scoring off a pass from Mohamed Zidan.  Saleh's strike gave Egypt a last-gasp victory.  With the 3-2 win, Egypt join Tunisia as the only two teams with six points after two games in the CAF Second Round.

Egypt 6 pts +3
Guinea 3 pts 0
Zimbabwe 1 pts -1
Mozambique 1 pts -2

Goals
Egypt
Mohamed Aboutrika 58,67 PK
Mohamed Salah 90+5

Guinea
Abdoul Camara 19
Alhassane Bangoura 88

Match Reports:
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/sport/football/58752/moment-of-truth-for-warriors.html?utm_source=thezim&utm_medium=homepage&utm_campaign=latestarticles
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111591.html
http://news.egypt.com/english/permalink/123776.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBuswDZzA0U (Egypt v. Guinea)

Liberia 0 - Angola 0

Liberia were looking to earn their first points of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as they welcomed Angola into Monrovia.  Nyema Gerhardt was out with a dislocated shoulder from Liberia's previous match with Senegal.  Angola's strategy today was to sit back, absorb pressure, and launch hopeful long balls up the pitch to their lone striker.  Dioh Williams nearly punished Angola for their negative tactics, but after beating three defenders his shot failed to do anything but go straight at the goalkeeper.  The half ended at 0-0.

Despite their best efforts, Liberia were still unable to make headway through the Angolan defense in the final period.  The match ended in a 0-0 draw that leaves both teams looking up at Senegal in the Group J standings.

Senegal 4 pts +2
Uganda 2 pts 0
Angola 2 pts 0
Liberia 1 pts -2

Match Reports:
http://www.frontpageafricaonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3346:unbelievable-stalemate-fading-hopes-looms-as-liberia-sraw-0-0-with-angola&catid=49:football&Itemid=123

Libya 2 - Cameroon 1; DR Congo 2 - Togo 0

The Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomed Togo to Kinshasa.  Midway through the opening period, DR Congo staked themselves a 1-0 lead, but the good vibes would not last long.  Albert Mutamba was sent off for a red card in minute 39, so the hosts had to play a man down for the final fifty minutes.  No ill effects were felt from the red card in the first half, with DR Congo winning it 1-0.

In the second period, Togo were unable to take advantage of their extra man and in fact conceded a penalty with a little under ten minutes to play.  Dieumerci Mbokani (pictured, blue) stepped up and buried the penalty kick, giving DR Congo the final goal of the match.  DR Congo win 2-0.

Libya had to play their home fixture against Cameroon behind closed doors at a facility in Sfax, Tunisia.  An early goal made the pitch feel more like their actual home for Libya, but their lead was short lived as Eric Choupo Moting scored his second in two matches for Cameroon, knotting the game at one goal apiece.  Moting has scored all of Cameroon's goals so far in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.  The match was balanced at 1-1 going into the break.

Libya's defense actually seemed to be the shakier of the two during the second half, allowing the Indomitable Lions to roar toward the goal.  However, the finishing on the night was poor for Cameroon, and it would be a late corner kick for Libya that would decide the match.  Hamad Ahniash beat the goalkeeper to the ball and headed home into the vacated net for a stoppage-time match winner.  Libya take first place in the Group I standings on the back of their 2-1 win.

Libya 4 pts +1
DR Congo 3 pts +1
Cameroon 3 pts 0
Togo 1 pts -2

Goals
DR Congo
Mabi Mputu 23
Dieumerci Mbokani 81 PK

Libya
Ahmed Zouary 8
Hamad Ahniash 90+3

Cameroon
Eric Choupo Moting 16

Match Reports:
http://www.afriquejet.com/world-cup-brazil-2014-qualifier-dr-congo-togo-2012061140127.html
http://www.goal.com/en/match/78002/libya-vs-cameroon/report

Lesotho 0 - Sudan 0

A result for Sudan on the road in Maseru against Lesotho would put Sudan on top of Group D.  Surprisingly, the young Lesotho side were the team that looked more likely to score, but the Sudanese defense held tough.  Mohamed Tahir nearly scored an opener for Sudan, but his shot was saved.  Elmez Muhgoub was on his game in goal for Sudan, providingly timely cover for his defense.  The half ended 0-0.

Sudan again nearly snatched a goal against the run of play when Mohamed Ahmed Bashir hit a post with a shot.  The Crocodiles of Lesotho were unable to find a goal anywhere, meaning that their match with Sudan ended in a forgettable 0-0 draw.  Sudan may be frustrated with only picking up a point against a team that had lost their previous match by seven goals, but they nevertheless are the leaders of Group D at the end of 2012.

Sudan 4 pts +2
Ghana 3 pts +6
Zambia 3 pts -1
Lesotho 1 pts -7

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111908.html
http://www.rovedin.com/readartnew.php?user=kojo1&id=3088

Tanzania 2 - Gambia 1

Dar Es Salaam was the scene for the match between hosts Tanzania and Gambia.  Tanzania had an early chance cleared away by desperate defending, but as in their opener against Morocco, Gambia scored the game's opening goal.  Saihou Gassama lofted a cross to Momodou Ceesay, who converted to give Gambia a 1-0 lead.  Tanzania did not look deterred by the setback even though they entered the half down 1-0.

In the second period, Tanzania found some offense from their defensive line.  Shomari Kapombe scored off a bicycle kick on the hour mark to level the match at 1-1.  A handball with under ten minutes left to play gave Tanzania a shot to take the lead.  The spot kick was nailed, giving Tanzania a lead that they held through to the finish.  Tanzania win the match 2-1.

Cote d'Ivoire 4 pts +2

Tanzania 3 pts -1
Morocco 2 pts 0
Gambia 1 pts -1

Goals
Tanzania
Shomari Kapombe 60
Erasto Nyoni 84 PK

Gambia
Momodou Ceesay 7

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111104.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111903.html

Ethiopia 2 - Central African Republic 0

Ethiopia, fresh off a shock draw in South Africa, came home to an absolutely packed Addis Ababa stadium to face Group A leaders Central African Republic.  After a slow start to the match, Ethiopia poached a goal with seven minutes left before the whistle.  Said Saladin (pictured, #7) finished with his head off a Minyahile Tesmone cross.  Ethiopia led 1-0 at the break.

The second half again featured nearly equal amounts of possession.  It took until the final three minutes for the match to be sealed.  Saladin latched onto a lofted ball forward that passed the only defender back for the visitors, who were pressing for the equalizer.  Saladin finished for 2-0, but he came up with a hamstring injury during his celebratory run.  Ethiopia were out of substitutes, but the injury was of little consequence for Ethiopia held on for the 2-0 win and the surprise lead in Group A.

Ethiopia 4 pts +2
Central Af. Rep. 3 pts 0
South Africa 2 pts 0
Botswana 1 pts -2

Goals
Ethiopia
Said Saladin 38, 88

Match Reports:
http://nazret.com/blog/index.php/2012/06/10/saladin-said-delivers-for-ethiopia-again-beating-car-2-0-at-home
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110061.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wbq4bk_EVWo

Chile 2 - Venezuela 0

Venezuela hosted Chile in a match so hotly anticipated that there were riots outside the stadium in Puerto La Cruz when the tickets sold out a few days before the game.  Hosts Venezuela were looking to win and take first place in CONMEBOL qualifying; Chile needed a win to do the same.  Venezuela came out with more offensive pizzazz than did Chile, but a headed goal off a free kick was correctly ruled back for offside.  With Venezuela missing three starting midfielders, their only two routes of attack were through build up plays on the left side of the pitch through left winger Juan Arango (pictured, burgundy #18) and from long balls launched over the top to strikers Salomon Rondon (pictured, chesting ball) and Miku Fedor.  Chile's defense never had to bother with defending their left side of the pitch, so the lack of offensive creativity hurt the home side.  The first half ended 0-0.

As the match remained scoreless, Chile became more and more confident.  Humberto Suazo connected with a shot that banged the Venezuelan goalpost six minutes into the half.  The very next minute, Venezuela goalkeeper Renny Vega was forced into making a good save.  With less than a quarter hour to play and the hosts La Vinotinto out of ideas, Chile went into the ascendancy.  A warning shot was fired by Marcelo Diaz, but his free kick was pushed away by Vega.  However, with five minutes left, Matias Fernandez ran up the right side of the penalty box and took a shot that was deflected in by Grenddy Perozo, finally giving Chile their 1-0 lead they so deserved.  In stoppage time, a brilliant one-two-one-two-one passing combination from Charles Aranguiz (pictured, white #20) to Sebastian Pinto led to Aranguiz scoring the insurance goal.  Chile win 2-0 to take over first place in CONMEBOL after Matchday Six.

Chile 12 pts +1
Argentina 10 pts +7
Uruguay 8 pts +6
Venezuela 8 pts -2
Colombia 7 pts +1
Ecuador 6 pts -1
Bolivia 4 pts -4
Paraguay 4 pts -4
Peru 3 pts -3

Goals
Chile
Matias Fernandez 85
Charles Aranguiz 90+1

Match Reports:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/soccer/chile-defeats-venezuela-2-0-on-late-goals-to-take-lead-in-south-american-world-cup-qualifying-158326635.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naoHsty82rE&feature=relmfu

Bolivia 3 - Paraguay 1

Bolivia welcomed Paraguay into La Paz on the opener of CONMEBOL Matchday Six.  Pablo Escobar (pictured, green) began his man-of-the-match performance ten minutes in with an assist to Alcides Peña.  Escobar dove forward with his left leg to save a cross from going over the end line, and his touch set up Peña, who shot into the ground and past Justo Villar in the Paraguayan goal for 1-0 Bolivia.  That would be the halftime score as well.

Paraguay looked ready to make it a match.  Thirteen minutes in, Oswaldo Martinez struck a free kick through a splitting wall, but the ball hit a post.  Five minutes later, Villar, stopped a penalty kick from Gualberto Mojica to keep the deficit at just one goal.  However, it was at this time that Escobar stepped up his game, providing two goals in a ten-minute span to push Bolivia's lead to 3-0 with ten minutes left in the match.  Cristian Riveros pulled one goal back on a bomb from the half circle, but the result had already been sealed.  Bolivia get their first win of the 2014 FIFA World Cup 3-1 over Paraguay.

Goals

Bolivia
Alcides Peña 10
Pablo Escobar 70, 80 (green)

Paraguay
Cristian Riveros 83

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/09/2080.ap.soc.bolivia.paraguay.1st.ld.writethru.232/index.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLWyutvpGok

Morocco 2 - Cote d'Ivoire 2

In what figured to be the most difficult of the six Group C fixtures for Les Elephants, Cote d'Ivoire paid Morocco a visit in Marrakech.  Saka Tiene (pictured, green #17) put in a through ball from beyond midfielder to a streaking Salomon Kalou who chipped the oncoming goalkeeper from outside the box to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  Boubacar Barry was his usual stellar self in goal for Les Elephants, but he had to face a penalty kick after a handball in the box against Cote d'Ivoire.  The kick was converted, so the match went to the break tied at 1-1.

The play was open on both ends of the field in the second period.  It took until the hour mark for the stalemate to be broken, though.  A Gervinho corner found Didier Drogba, who headed ahead to Kolo Toure, who dropped to his knee as he tucked his header away for a 2-1 lead.  Barry made a nice save on a shot from four yards to maintain the lead.  With one minute to go in the match, Yassine Salhi chipped a ball that beat Les Elephants' defense over the top on its way toward Hamza Abourazzouk, who smartly snapped a header into the side netting for the equalizer.  Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire tie 2-2.

Cote d'Ivoire 4 pts +2
Morocco 2 pts 0
Gambia 1 pts 0
Tanzania 0 pts -2

Goals
Cote d'Ivoire
Salomon Kalou 8
Kolo Toure 60

Morocco
Houssine Kharja 41 PK
Hamza Abourazzouk 89

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en/match/77970/morocco-vs-cote-divoire/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJHitc3Rfc0&feature=related

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEfb4yLuhxY&feature=related (1st half)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKwWaCBXLHU&feature=related (2nd half)

Tunisia 2 - Cape Verde 1; Sierra Leone 2 - Equatorial Guinea 2

Equatorial Guinea made their first appearance in Malabo in Group B play, serving as the hosts against Sierra Leone. The first half was replete with goals. Juvenal opened the scoring for the home side, but he saw his team give up two goals in the following twenty minutes. Juvenal found his second goal as the half was nearing its conclusion, and the eventful period ended level at two goals apiece.

Ibrahim Kargbo got himself sent off the pitch for a red card in minute 52, leaving Sierra Leone to cope on the road with only ten men. Oddly, Equatorial Guinea were able to do more damage with eleven than they were with ten as no second-half goals were to be found for the home side despite the advantage. Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea tie 2-2.

The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde welcomed Group B favorites Tunisia to Praia.  The Blue Sharks swarmed up the field early during the first half, applying high pressure to rattle the Tunisian passing attack.  Anis Ben Htira (pictured, white)  did not mind, threading a looping cross to the far post where he found a sprinting Saber Khalia for the finish and the 1-0 lead.  The Blue Sharks switched tactics and started sending long balls forward, and this led to an equalizer twelve minutes after the Tunisian opener.  A free kick from their own half bounced over the Tunisian defense and their goalkeeper, allowing Odair Fortes to curl in the equalizer from the baseline.

In the second period, Tunisia wasted no time regaining control.  Issam Jomaa played a one-two-one with Hamdi Harbaoui to get himself alone with the goalkeeper, and Jomaa made no mistake with the finish, restoring Tunisia's lead to 2-1.  Play opened up with Cape Verde streching themselves for the equalizer and Tunisia finding many counterattacks available.  However, goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi was up to the task for Tunisia, turning away a shot from his doorstep midway through the period.  Cape Verde were unable to protect their home turf and suffer their first home loss in four years, 2-1.

Tunisia 6 pts +3

Sierra Leone 4 pts +1
Equatorial Guinea 1 pts -2
Cape Verde 0 pts -2

Goals
Equatorial Guinea
Juvenal 13, 41

Sierra Leone
Samuel Barlay 23
Ibrahim Bangura 30

Tunisia
Saber Khalifa 14
Issam Jomaa 46

Cape Verde
Odair Fortes 26

Match Reports:
http://www.awoko.org/2012/06/11/equatorial-guinea-force-a-10-man-leone-stars-to-a-draw/
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/77966/cape-verde-vs-tunisia/report

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MurAOQQIbAk (Tunisia v. Cape Verde)

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJCBkKHOEgU (1st half - Tunisia v. Cape Verde)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKFUrojGuUk (2nd half - Tunisia v. Cape Verde)

Malawi 1 - Nigeria 1; Namibia 1 - Kenya 0

Nigeria made the trip to Blantyre to take on a solid Malawi side.  Group F is one that the Super Eagles looked destined to dominate, but their hosts were not privy to that knowledge.  Nigeria played better than their foes in the opening period, but no goals were found.

In the next period, the Super Eagles continued to show their superiority.  Finally, Ruben Gabriel (pictured, green) was able to put Nigeria on top with one minute left in the match.  However, Raheem Lawal lost the ball in the middle of the pitch, allowing Malawi to run up the field and score a stoppage time goal authored by John Banda, giving the home crowd reason to celebrate a 1-1 draw.  Nigeria were inconsolable in the locker room after the match with Lawal reduced to tears.

Namibia welcomed the Harambee Stars of Kenya to a battle in Windhoek.  The Brave Warriors trotted out a young side to face Kenya in the freezing temperatures.  Kenya were the first team to heat up, firing multiple shots from distance but gaining no reward.  Slowly but surely, Namibia started to gain traction.  The emphasis is on the word "slowly" as the half finished scoreless.

Nearing the end of the match, Namibia hit the crossbar via a Lazarus Kaimbi shot.  However, it was the only man above age thirty who ultimately struck gold for the home side.  Henrico Botes headed home the winning goal five minutes from time. Namibia win 1-0.

Nigeria 4 pts +1

Namibia 3 pts 0
Malawi 2 pts 0
Kenya 1 pts -1

Goals
Nigeria
Ruben Gabriel 89

Malawi
John Banda 90+2

Namibia
Henrico Botes 85

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110773.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111489.html

Gabon 1 - Burkina Faso 0; Congo 1 - Niger 0

Group E, a group with no clear cut favorite, saw two 0-0 draws on Matchday One.  Matchday Two brought Burkina Faso to Libreville to face Gabon.  The hosts started off the best, but Burkina Faso had the one true chance of the first half, which they were unable to convert.  This half was to forever be scoreless.

In the second half, Remy Ebanega was the recipient of a flicked on header off a corner kick, allowing him to nod home from the unguarded far post.  The crowd in Libreville went crazy, and Gabon were up 1-0.  Burkina Faso failed to find the equalizer, so the final score read Gabon 1, Burkina Faso 0.

In another match that appeared destined to be goalless, Congo welcomed Niger to Pointe Noire.  Niger's Mohamed Chikoto was sent off for a red card with two minutes left in the first half.  The half was scoreless, but Congo surely would be able to parlay their man advantage into a goal.

It took them nearly the entire game to do so, but Congo eventually used their extra man to their benefit.  The goal fell four minutes from time, and Congo held on to take the full three points.  The 1-0 win means that Congo join Gabon on four points at the top of the group with the teams scheduled to face each other on the next matchday.

Gabon 4 pts +1

Congo 4 pts +1
Niger 1 pts -1
Burkina Faso 1 pts -1

Goals
Gabon
Remy Ebanega 56

Congo
Francis Malonga 86

Match Reports:
http://www.mtnfootball.com/international/fifa-world-cup-2014/matches/reports/2012/june/09-gabon-v-burkina-faso.html

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElVNvbZHmEI (1st half of Gabon v. Burkina Faso)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjXMiiegfrw (2nd half of Gabon v. Burkina Faso)

Zambia 1 - Ghana 0

In the highly anticipated rematch of the 2012 African Cup of Nations semifinal won by Zambia, Ghana travel to Ndola to square off with the African champions anew.  This match was the first held in the new stadium in Ndola, and the Chipolopolo did not want to disappoint their home crowd.  The stadium's first goal came after an act of brotherly love with Felix Katongo feeding Zambian captain Christopher Katongo for a goal after a quarter hour of play.  The Chipolopolo held onto a precarioius 1-0 lead at the half.

Ghana tried to fight back in the second period, but the defense of the Chipolopolo proved to be impregnable with a good showing from centerback Stoppila Sunzu.  Not even the exploits of Jordan Ayew (pictured, white), son of Abedi Pele, could breach the Zambia goal.  Zambia win the match 1-0 and give their Brasil 2014 campaign a kick start. 

Ghana 3 pts +6
Sudan 3 pts +2
Zambia 3 pts -1
Lesotho 0 pts -7

Goals
Zambia
Christopher Katongo 15

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/77974/zambia-vs-ghana/report
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=241469
http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/page.php?news=21623&title=Ghana%20Loses%201%20-%200%20To%20Zambia
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110076.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoXRYG0lqdk

Senegal 1 - Uganda 1

Uganda, after a strong road draw against Angola, came home to face group favorites Senegal in rainy Kampala.  The host Cranes started well early, but Senegal eventually came to dominate the match.  Dame Ndoye burst up the left side of the pitch and laid a ball off to the six-yard line from where a sliding Papiss Cisse scored the opener.  Senegal led 1-0 at the break.

Senegal failed to push the lead, and it would be a late penalty kick that would give Uganda the chance at equalizing.  Godfrey Walusimbi stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to earn his side a 1-1 tie at home to the Group J favorites.

Senegal 4 pts +2
Uganda 2 pts 0
Angola 1 pts 0
Liberia 0 pts -2

Goals
Senegal
Papiss Cisse 38

Uganda
Godfrey Walusimbi 85 PK

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111907.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206110080.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4w84gQ8d7I

South Africa 1 - Bostwana 1

South Africa went into Gaborone to take on Botswana with both sides desperate to right the ship after poor results in their opening matches in Group A.  The home Zebras almost got an early goal when Joel Mogorosi headed into the crossbar.  South Africa took advantage of the reprieve at the quarter hour mark when Morgan Gould (pictured, green) rose to head a Steven Pienaar corner kick home for a 1-0 lead.  Katlego Mphela nearly made it 2-0, but his effort struck the crossbar.  The Zebras took advantage of this reprieve when Ofentse Nato put back a rebound for the equalizer.  The half ended 1-1.

In the second period, Bafana Bafana nearly had a second, but Kabelo Dembe was able to save Gould's header to preserve the tie with twenty-five minutes to play.  Ten minutes from time, a Pienaar pass found Teko Modise wide open in front of an open net, but Modise somehow managed to blast over the bar from close range.  Botswana escape with a 1-1 draw, but they do not escape the bottom of Group A.

Central Af. Rep. 3 pts +2
South Africa 2 pts 0
Ethiopia 1 pts 0
Botswana 1 pts -2

Goals
South Africa
Morgan Gould 15 (green)

Botswana
Ofentse Nato 38

Match Reports:
http://allafrica.com/stories/201206111409.html
http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=8&aid=902&dir=2012/June/Monday11

El Salvador 2 - Costa Rica 2; Mexico 3 - Guyana 1

Mexico, CONCACAF favorites, welcomed Guyana and their Golden Jaguars to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City for the very first time.  A short elevated clearance by Guyana to their half circle landed at the feet of defender Carlos Salcido, who timed his volley to smack an expert strike into the back of the net and settle Mexico's nerves with a 1-0 lead.  Four minutes later, Mexico displayed their full arsenal in three quick touches.  Javier Hernandez back heeled to Aldo de Nigris, who settled the ball for an onrushing Giovani Dos Santos to blast a massive strike into the Guyanese goal, putting the Golden Jaguars down 2-0 before the quarter hour mark.  Mexico took the 2-0 score into the break.

Upon returning, Mexico kept attacking.  Andres Guardado sent in a dangerous cross to Hernandez that hit Hernandez and his marker in rapid succession, leading to an own goal and a 3-0 lead.  The only blemish on Mexico's record was an own goal of their own to make it 3-1.  Carl Cort had a goal effort that bounced off the goal toward Mexico's crossbar, but it flew just over.  Mexico win the match 3-1 and take an early lead in the race toward the CONCACAF Fourth Round out of Group Two.

La Selecta of El Salvador made the trip to San Jose to face off with powerhouse Costa Rica.  An early penalty appeal when Alvaro Saborio (pictured, red) was taken down in the box by Victor Turcios (pictured, white) was waved away to the dismay of Costa Rica.  Saborio quickly got Turcios back by chesting a ball down while turning Turcios around, leading to a superb unmarked finish by Saborio.  The Ticos extended the lead to 2-0 five minutes later when a Joel Campbell shot was deflected, leaving the goalkeeper extending himself in the wrong direction as he watched his net get breached again.  El Salvador were not shaken, and Isidro Gutierrez gathered a long rebound to finish clinically into the bottom left corner from twenty-six yards.  In minute 31, the lights went out, and the match was delayed by twenty minutes.  Costa Rica led 2-1 at the halftime whistle.

Nine minutes into the next period, Rafael Burgos received a ball in the Tico's half of the field and drew three Ticos defenders with his back to goal.  Burgos threaded a through ball to a streaking Osael Romero, who got off a shot before the overcommitted defense could react, levelling the match at two goals per team.  El Salvador were able to hold on to secure the valuable road point before facing Mexico at home on Tuesday.

Goals
Mexico
Carlos Salcido 11
Giovani Dos Santos 15
John Rodrigues 51 OG

Guyana
Hector Moreno 62 OG

Costa Rica
Alvaro Saborio 10
Joel Campbell 15

El Salvador
Isidro Gutierrez 23
Osael Romero 54

Match Reports:
http://www.goal.com/en-us/match/72579/mexico-vs-guyana/report
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1215116-mexico-vs-guyana-mexico-must-show-consistency-to-succeed-in-future-matches
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2805295,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX1DDzzuwr0&feature=relmfu (Mexico v. Guyana)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2jmMbLkCyk (El Salvador v. Costa Rica)

Jamaica 2 - Guatemala 1; United States of America 3 - Antigua and Barbuda 1

The long-anticipated 2014 FIFA World Cup debut of the United States of America took place today in Tampa as the Yanks took on underdog sensation Antigua and Barbuda.  The rain put a damper on the festivities, but the group favorite Yanks did not mind in the opening of the match.  Many spectators and pundits wished to take Antigua lightly, but the Yanks knew better.  A series of nine early corner kicks for the USA led to one goal on a scramble pushed home by the boot of captain Carlos Bocanegra.  With seven minutes left in the half, Dexter Blackstock had a look at an equalizer, but USA centerback Clarence Goodson made a great sliding block of the shot along the wet pitch.  Landon Donovan was brought down in the box late in the half, and the penalty kick was converted for a 2-0 USA lead at the half.

Antigua's leading scorer Peter Byers was substituted onto the pitch just beyond the half hour mark, and it took him but two minutes to latch onto a ball, drive up the American defense, and whip a goal into the net to cut the lead to 2-1.  However, the USA restored order on a play that involved multiple rebounds and an alert Herculez Gomez who slotted home an open finish for the 3-1 scoreline that would serve as the final tally.  Antigua goalkeeper Molvin James was absolutely amazing on this night and is a huge reason why the margin of defeat was not more severe than two goals.  The left ankle injury to left-footed left back Jose Torres will be worrisome to the Yanks as they head to Guatemala next Tuesday.

Jamaica and the Reggae Boyz played host to the Chapines of Guatemala in Kingston.  The action was not the most riveting, but five minutes from time the Reggae Boyz had something to celebrate.  Demar Phillips took a shot from outside his box that bounced and took a funny hop that ate up the goalkeeper and went in for the opener.  Jamaica led 1-0 at the break.

Off the second-half kickoff, Luton Shelton broke up the left side of the pitch and laid a ball off to Ryan Johnson, who with his second touch coolly slotted the ball through the final defender and the goalkeeper to make it 2-0 Jamaica after only fifteen seconds.  Shelton nearly had one of his own after a long-range shot hit the crossbar and flew up and back into play.  Guatemala scored in second-half stoppage time after a good rebound from a shot that also hit the crossbar was nodded home with a looping header.  Jamaica win 2-1.

Goals
United States of America
Carlos Bocanegra 6
Clint Dempsey 43 PK
Herculez Gomez 71

Antigua and Barbuda
Peter Byers 64

Jamaica
Demar Phillips 40
Ryan Johnson 46

Guatemala
Dwight Pezzarossi 90+2

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/06/08/us.antigua.barbuda.recap.ap/index.html#?sct=sc_t2_a3
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120609/sports/sports11.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBDrYBSxniY (USA v. Antigua)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FmYbHoIGf0 (Jamaica v. Guatemala)

Panama 2 - Honduras 0; Canada 1 - Cuba 0

In the first match of the CONCACAF Third Round, Canada traveled to Havana to face Cuba.  Cuba started off best on the patchy field, but it would be the Canadians who came closest in the first half.  At the tail end of the first period, Dwyane de Rosario struck the crossbar off an eight-yard sitter, leaving Canada to ponder what could have been as they went into the locker room tied at zero goals apiece.

Ten minutes after the restart, Edgar David sent a inside-out cross into the Cuban box from where Olivier Occean headed home to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.  In minute 64, Canuck goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld was shown a red card for handling a ball outside the box, leaving Canada to hold onto their slim lead with only ten men on the pitch.  The resulting free kick was sent way high, and Canada go on to win 1-0.

La Marea Roja of Panama (picked by this blog to make their first FIFA World Cup finals appearance at Brasil 2014) paid a visit to group favorites and 2010 South Africa participants Honduras in San Pedro Sula.  The first forty-five minutes were nondescript, and the half ended scoreless.

The second period belonged to Blas Perez (pictured, red).  With twenty-five minutes left in the match, Perez with his back to goal flicked a ball in stride to his left hip, spun, and unleashed a massive right-footed volley into the goal for 1-0 to Panama.  With ten minutes left to play, Perez took a cross and headed home from the edge of the penalty area to score and impressive brace to give Panama a 2-0 lead.  Even more impressive was Perez's use of the "Bernie" dance to celebrate both strikes.  Panama should dance all the way back to their hotel after winning 2-0 in the house of the Catrachos.

Goals
Canada
Olivier Occean 55

Panama
Blas Perez 64, 80

Match Reports:
http://m.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/occeans-goal-leads-canada-over-cuba-in-world-cup-qualifying/article4243070/?service=mobile
http://www.tropigol.com/2012/06/09/perez-panama-stun-honduras-on-the-road/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezjLwndGX9c (Canada v. Cuba)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djt3GulclqI&feature=related (Panama v. Honduras)

South Korea 4 - Qatar 1; Lebanon 1 - Uzbekistan 1

Lebanon played their second home match of the fourth round.  The last time out against Qatar resulted in a disappointing loss, but the Cedars had a chance at redemption in Beirut as they welcomed Uzbekistan.  Uzbekistan scored just after ten minutes had elapsed after a silly diving header clearance by Lebanon failed.  Jasur Hasanov made no mistake with his shot, firing a bullet for a 1-0 Uzbekistan lead.  A Lebanon side that created nothing in response during the first half hour suddenly found its equalizer with ten minutes left in the half.  Ali Al Saadi curled a ball twenty-six yards around a four-man wall to beat the goalkeeper to the bottom right corner to give the Cedars an impressive equalizer. The score at the half was 1-1.

The second half featured nothing more than a few half-chances with Uzbekistan having the best of it at the start and Lebanon having the best of it at the finish.  Neither team would score again, and the match finished 1-1.

South Korea opened their fourth round of games with a daunting trip to Doha to face Qatar, who were fresh off a win at Lebanon.  Qatar started out well with good possession, and the goal was found by Yousef Ahmad Ali, who sliced through two Korean defenders down the left side and shot a goal off the goalkeeper's knee for a 1-0 lead.  Only three minutes later, a chip from Kim Bo-Kyung found its way to Lee Kyun-Ho's head and into the goal for the equalizer.  The score remained 1-1 at the half.

Ten minutes into the final stanza, Kwak Tae-Hwi scored an excellent flick header from one post into the side netting on the far post to put the Taegeuk Warriors up 2-1 in Doha.  After another ten minutes, a cool Kim Shin-wook finish from the half-circle of a soft pass from Lee Dong-Gook put the South Koreans ahead 3-1.  Lee Kyun-Ho got his second goal after a corner was allowed to bounce in the Qatari box and find him open.  In the last minute, Qatar's Mohammed Razarak nearly pulled one back with a sweet volley into the post, but Qatar lose 4-1 to South Korea.

South Korea 3 pts +3

Iran 3 pts +1

Qatar 3 pts -2

Lebanon 1 pts -1

Uzbekistan 1 pts -1

  

Goals

Uzbekistan

Jasur Hasanov 12

Lebanon

Ali Al Saadi 34

South Korea

Lee Keun Ho 26, 80

Kwak Tae Hwi 55

Kim Shin Wook 64

Qatar

Yousef Ahmad Ali 22

Match Reports:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/soccer/wires/06/08/2080.ap.soc.lebanon.uzbekistan.1st.ld.writethru.452/index.html
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1646176/index.html
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/sports/2012/06/08/south-korea-downs-qatar-4-1-in-wcup-qualifier/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsUz4hzhiSc&feature=g-all-u (Lebanon v. Uzbekistan)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtobmENY7lc&feature=g-all-u (South Korea v. Qatar)