The field for the final round of CONCACAF 2012 Olympic qualifying is now set after Guatemala defeated El Salvador 2-1 on Sunday to clinch the final of eight spots in the competition. The eight teams will battle from Jan. 19-29 in Vancouver with the top two earning the right to compete in the 2012 Olympics in Great Britain.
Idania Betzaida’s 80th minute goal was the decisive tally for Guatemala in Sunday’s decisive match. Ana Martinez had put Guatemala ahead in just the fourth minute, but Alejandra Herrera answered seven minutes later to tie the match. Betzaida’s late goal brought heartbreak to El Salvador, which would have advanced with a draw.
Guatemala joins Costa Rica as the other qualifier out of Central America. Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic qualified out of the Caribbean and Mexico, Canada and the United States automatically qualified for the eight team tournament.
B.C. Place, home of MLS’ Vancouver Whitecaps, will host the 10 day event in January.
