Panama 2 - Canada 0; Honduras 1 - Cuba 0

Panama City was the site for the rematch between visiting Canada, 1-0 winners at home, and hosts Panama.  The horns were blaring from the start as La Marea Roja were looking to avenge a loss in Canada four days ago.  Six minutes into the match, the lights went out.  Dwayne De Rosario, Canada's star midfielder, went out with a knee knock during the quarter-hour stoppage of play as the down time stopped the flow of adrenaline and forced him to be substituted.  The first warning that Canada were in for trouble came off the boot of Alberto Quintero, who forced a good saved out of the Canuck goalkeeper.  With seven minutes left in the half, an Armando Cooper corner kick was met violently by the head of his Panama teammate Roland Blackburn.  The ball caromed off the inside of the far post and whipped the crowd into a frenzy. Panama led 1-0 at intermission.

Canada came out strongly to start the half, earning a variety of corner kicks that did not lead to goals.  Quintero then stemmed the tide of momentum as he made a swell run up the left side of the pitch.  Quintero made it to the end line, from where he pulled back, faked a pass to Blas Perez to draw out the goalkeeper, and then did slot a pass to Perez, who smashed the ball home with authority to send la Marea Roja on their way to victory with a second goal.  Panama win 2-0 and assert control of Group Three with two matchdays left.

San Pedro Sula was the site as the hosts Honduras were looking to eliminate Cuba from Brasil 2014.  Toothless Cuba had yet to score a goal in their opening three qualifiers.  That poor run of form continued today, but Honduras were made to work to find their own offense.  Roger Espinoza beat his man around the end line and floated a cross to the far post to Jerry Bengston (pictured, white), who had slipped his mark to find acres of space.  Bengston rose for the header and nodded home for a goal created by two Major League Soccer players.  Honduras led 1-0 at halftime.

Honduras were unable to extend their advantage in the second period, but Cuba once again provided no offense.  Honduras end up winning 1-0.  Cuba are now reduced to playing the spoiler role for the rest of their qualifying campaign, for with the 1-0 defeat Cuba are the first and only team to be eliminated from the 2014 FIFA World Cup during the month of September 2012.  At least Cuba can consider the 1-0 reverse an improvement over their 3-0 loss to Honduras in Havana.

Panama 9 pts +2
Honduras 7 pts +2
Canada 7 pts 0
Cuba OUT

Goals
Panama
Roland Blackburn 38
Blas Perez 57

Honduras
Jerry Bengston 32

Match Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/sports/article/797786--canada-falls-to-panama-2-0-in-key-world-cup-qualifying-game
http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1255406--panama-defeats-canada-2-0-in-world-cup-qualifier
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/panama-2-0-canada-reds-032000121--sow.html
http://www.concacaf.com/page/WCQ/NewsDetail/0,,12813~2916572,00.html

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq0Ma7b0rMQ (Panama v. Canada)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozGVpbaFg5U (Honduras v. Cuba)