Canada’s already-slimming hopes of advancement in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup are now hanging by a thread following a 1-0 stoppage-time defeat at the hands of Jamaica at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Tex., on Saturday.
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Recently released Leeds United midfield Rodolph Austin broke the scoreless deadlock late on, when he headed Garath McCleary’s right-sided cross into the ground and past Canadian goalkeeper Kyriakos Stamatopoulos in the 92nd minute (below video).
Canada, who drew 0-0 with El Salvador in the Gold Cup opener on Wednesday, find themselves bottom of Group B with one point from two games, while Jamaica, who drew 2-2 with group favorites and tournament dark horse Costa Rica, have taken the group lead with four points from two games.Rodolph Austin’s header wins it late for Jamaica. #GoldCup2015 http://t.co/ej0F2iJ5mc
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 12, 2015
Considering Canada still have to face Costa Rica in Group B play, Saturday’s game was one from which Benito Floro’s Canucks really needed three points to have a strong chance of advancing to the quarterfinals. As things stand, Canada will have to beat Costa Rica, or hope that neither one of Guatemala or Cuba earn more than one point in Group C in order to advance as one of two third-place teams.
[ MORE GOLD CUP: USA 1-0 Haiti | Honduras 1-1 Panama | Mexico 6-0 Cuba | T & T 3-1 Guatemala ]
Despite holding 54 percent of the game’s possession, Canada could muster just seven shots on the day (two on target), while Jamaica were constantly dangerous on the counter attack, creating 21 chances (six on target) themselves.
Before Canada and Costa Rica do battle on Tuesday night, Jamaica will face off with El Salvador in the final round of group play. Both games will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.