Thursday, July 09, 2009

Guadeloupe Downs Nicaragua in Gold Cup Soccer Action

(Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved)

By Robert H. Kelly
Copyright 2009 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (July 9, 2009) The tiny archipelago of Guadeloupe punched its card to the quarter finals of Gold Cup 2009 with a 2-0 win over Nicaragua.

On a warm, yet air conditioned evening at Reliant Stadium in Houston, the Gwana Boys took on hungry Nicaraguan squad that as itching for a win after their 2-0 lost to Mexico in their first game of Gold Cup 2009.

Guadeloupe was coming off a 2-1 victory over Panama and was hoping to extend their winning streak to 2-0 in Group C play.

After a scoreless first half, Guadeloupe was the first to find the goal in the 58th minute when Stephane Auvaor took a pass from Aurelien Capoue to get the ball past Honduran goalkeeper Denis Espinosa.

Guadeloupe waited less than a minute to score its second goal of the match when Ludovic Gotin got a pass from Capoue to take the score to 2-0. The game ended in regulation with The Gwana Boys holding on the 2-0 lead to win their second match of the tournament.

The officials allowed the game to proceed at the player's pace; only issuing three yellow card and one ejection.

Guadeloupe’s Mickael Tacalfred receive the a warning in the 17th minute, along with a second yellow card in the 66th minute, which resulted in his ejection from the game.

Panama’s Silvio Aviles was also yellow carded in the 45th minute.

Guadeloupe had nine shots on goal, while Panama had 11, with Panama only having one save. Guadeloupe tallied three saves in the goal.

Guadeloupe raised its record to 2-0 in Gold Cup 2009 action, while Nicaragua fell to 0-2.

The Gwana Boys will now face Mexico in their final game of Group C action, with Nicaragua playing Panama. Both games will be played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

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