Canada tops CONCACAF World Cup qualifying group despite loss to Panama
CBC
Canada wrapped up a remarkable World Cup qualifying campaign Wednesday on a down note in a 1-0 loss to Panama but will still go to Qatar as the top finisher in CONCACAF.
With the Canadian men pressing for the equalizer, Atiba Hutchinson's backheel found Junior Hoilett and the veteran floated a cross to Larin in front of goal for what looked like his 25th goal for Canada. The Besiktas striker put a finger to his mouth to silence the crowd before kissing his badge in celebration.
But the celebrations ended when referee Jair Maruffo went to the pitchside monitor to check on offside. Canada kept coming forward during the seven minutes of stoppage time but could not get the goal, with a Larin header flashing wide off a free kick.
The Canadian men finished tied with Mexico on 28 points at 8-2-4 but took first spot in the eight-team round-robin by virtue of a superior goal difference. The U.S. (7-3-4, 25 points) finished third on goal difference over Costa Rica.
In other games Wednesday, Costa Rica blanked the visiting U.S. 2-0, Mexico downed visiting El Salvador 2-0, and Jamaica beat visiting Honduras 2-1.
No. 42 Costa Rica finished fourth and will face No. 111 New Zealand in an intercontinental playoff in June. The All Whites blanked the 142nd-ranked Solomon Islands 5-0 earlier Wednesday in the final of the Oceania qualifying tournament.
With a berth in Qatar 2022 already confirmed after Sunday's 4-0 win over Jamaica in Toronto, the 33rd-ranked Canadian men were looking to finish first in CONCACAF qualifying and earn valuable FIFA ranking points that could help in Friday's World Cup draw in Doha.
WATCH | Canada qualifies for World Cup for 1st time in 36 years:
The four pots for the 32-team draw are divvied up by world ranking. Canada hopes its new ranking will move it out of Pot 4 to Pot 3, which should allow it a more benign draw by avoiding a tier of higher-ranked countries.
It was a humid 27 C at kickoff at Estadio Rommel Fernandez, feeling like 30 degrees. And it was a scrappy affair with neither team on target in the first half.
The home side went ahead on a counter-attack in the 49th minute with Gabriel Torres, on his 100th appearance, volleying home a perfect cross from Jose Luis Rodriguez. The cross curled past Kamal Miller with Torres directing it home with his right foot past Maxime Crepeau into the top corner.
WATCH | Torres scores the lone goal of the game:
The Canadians pressed as the second half wore on with both teams finding more room on offence.
The Canadians came into the game needing just a point to ensure finishing first in the CONCACAF qualifying final round-robin table. No. 63 Panama (6-5-3, 21 points) finishes fifth just out of qualifying contention.
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