USA, Mexico & Honduras clinch Costa Rica heads to playoffs

CONCACAF 2014 WCQ Final (Hexagonal) Round

The schedule of play for the CONCACAF Hexagonal round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers is as follows (home team is listed first):

2010 World Cup South Africa Qualification

CONCACAF Final Round Games, Scores, & Standings

CONCACAF 2010 South Africa: Costa Rica was eliminated in Playoff series by Uruguay

Costa Rica 0 vs   Uruguay 1  Nov-14 Costa Rica 1 vs   Uruguay 1 Nov-18-2009

USA, Mexico, & Honduras clinch while Costa Rica lost in Playoffs

After the results of the final CONCACAF qualifying matches last Wednesday, USA leads the CONCACAF Final round qualifiers with 20 points while Mexico and Honduras finished second and third respectively to secure the three automatic spots to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

Mexico did what was necessary against Trinidad and Tobago, in what turned out to be a dull affair with almost the same amount of Mexican supporters in attendance as Soca Warriors supporters. The game ended 2-2 and it and it seemed like every time T&T scored, Mexico responded accordingly.

Mexico second equalizer in the 65^th minute to make it a 2-2 ball game. It was a neat placement by Carlos Salcido to set up a somewhat exciting finish to the dull game. Both teams missed late chances by hitting the crossbar as the game finished in a deserving 2-2 draw.

With the tie Mexico finished in second place with 19 points, one point behind USA. Trinidad and Tobago finished their 2010 campaign in last place with 6 points in the Hexagonal round. Honduras finished in third place with 16 points after defeating El Salvador 1-0, while Costa Rica finished in fourth place on goal difference after allowing USA to come back from a two goal half time deficit to tie 2-2 in the 4th minute of injury time.

Honduras defeat El Salvador 1-0 to clinch the third and final spot after Costa Rica tie with USA. Costa Rica now has to play Uruguay, the fifth place South American team in a home and away playoff series to get to the 2010 World Cup.

Update:  Costa Rica was eliminated from 1-0 loss to Uruguay in its first game at home after drawing the second game 1-1 on November 18 in Uruguay to lose on aggregate.

CONCACAF 2010 South Africa scores

First Leg