Posted on June 13, 2012
PANAMA CITY – Funny thing this World Cup qualifying.
On Friday night, Panama stunned favored Honduras on the road in the CONCACAF Group C semifinal encounter, 2-0.
On Tuesday night in the friendly confines of Estadio Rommel Fernandez, Los Canaleros registered but a 1-0 victory over Cuba.
The results left the Panamanians as one of two sides that are untied and unbeaten in this round of qualifying, while Cuba dropped to 0-2-0. The Central Americans are two points ahead of Canada (1-0-1, four), which played Honduras (0-1-1, one) to a scoreless draw on Tuesday night.
A 58th-minute goal by Nelson Barahona boosted the Central Americans, who won for the fifth consecutive time in qualifying.
It was Barahona’s second international goal and first for the 24-year-old Atletico Huila midfielder since the 2009 Gold Cup.
The Cubans, who received a bye into the semifinal round of qualifying, lost their second successive 1-0 decision having been beaten at home on Friday by Canada.
The defeat also was the fifth in a row for the Caribbeans as they have failed to score in each of those games. The loss also extended their winless streak to nine. Cuba has lost eight matches since beating Nicaragua on May 28, 2011.
Cuba will play Honduras in Havana on Sept. 7 before travelling to face Los Catrachos four days later. Panama will visit Toronto in Sept 7 to face Canada, before receiving the North Americans four days later.
Photo: Nelson Barahona scored only his second international goal for Panama. Scott Bales/YCJ
Categories: Canada, Caribbean, Central America, Cuba, Honduras, Panama, World Cup Qualifying
Tags: Los Catrachos, Nelson Barahona, World Cup qualifying
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