El Salvador late show denies Trinidad

(AFP) Thursday 12 February 2009

El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago played out a 2-2 draw yesterday as the final phase of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ got underway in the North and Central America and Caribbean region. Two goals from Osael Romero in the 79th and 90th minutes earned the draw for the hosts after Trinidad and Tobago took a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Carlos Edwards opened the scoring for the visitors in the seventh minute, firing a shot from outside the area that eluded goalkeeper Juan Jose Gomez. Veteran Dwight Yorke doubled the margin in the 27th, converting a penalty resulting from Luis Hernandez's foul on Stern John.

El Salvador's attempts to pull back were frustrated by Trinidad keeper Clayton Ince until 11 minutes from time when Romero scored with a free-kick from just outside the area. Romero stamped himself the hero for the hosts with his equaliser in injury time.

The six-nation final round of qualifying for the region also includes the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras. The top three teams from the competition will advance directly to the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, while the fourth will play off for a berth against a team from South America.

Furtado leads Costa Rica past Honduras

Andy Furtado scored twice in the space of 11 minutes to lift Costa Rica to a 2-0 victory over Honduras as the final phase of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifying began in North, Central America and the Caribbean.

Furtado scored in the 48th and 59th minutes to give Costa Rica a share of the lead in the six-nation competition, alongside the United States who downed Mexico 2-0.

After a scoreless first half, Furtado opened the scoring by heading a free-kick from the right by Celso Borges past goalkeeper Noel Valladares. Furtado struck again 11 minutes later, receiving another ball from the right and unleashing a blistering shot.