Depleted Mexico rout Costa Rica
Reuters - Monday 13 June 2011, 02:26
CHICAGO - Mexico, under a cloud after
five players tested positive for doping, completed an unbeaten
Group A run in the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a 4-1 victory over
Costa Rica on Sunday.
The win, in the shadow of the doping suspensions which they
claimed was the result of contaminated food, ensured Mexico
advanced to the quarter-finals.
Andres Guardado scored twice during a first-half assault
that gave Mexico a 4-0 advantage by halftime. Rafael Marquez and
Pablo Barrera also scored before the break.
Marcos Urena scored in the 68th minute for Costa Rica, who
will also advance to the quarter-finals after finishing tied for
second in Group A on four points with El Salvador but have a
better goal difference.
Costa Rica were tied on four points - the same as El
Salvador, who had earlier thumped Cuba 6-1, - but qualified due
to a better goal difference.
El Salvador still could advance to the quarter-finals as one
of the two-best third-placed sides.
Andres Guardado scored twice during a first-half assault
that gave Mexico a 4-0 advantage by halftime. Rafael Marquez and
Pablo Barrera also scored before the break.
Marcos Urena scored in the 68th minute for Costa Rica.
El Salvador's Rodolfo Zelaya had earlier scored a goal in
each half to lead his country to a 6-1 rout of Cuba and their
first victory of the tournament.
El Salvador took a 2-0 lead at halftime courtesy of goals
from Zelaya and William Romero before Mark Blanco, Arturo
Alvarez and Eliseo Quintanilla all scored in the second half.
Cuba, who had been thrashed 5-0 in both of their previous
games, scored a consolation goal through Yenier Marquez in the
82nd minute.