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NASVHILLE, Tennessee - Canada became the second team to clinch a berth in the semifinals of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying despite allowing an injury time goal and settling for a 1-1 draw with Cuba on Monday.
Canada improved to five points, assuring itself of finishing second in Group A and joining Mexico in the final four.
Heading for an apparent victory, Canada allowed Maykel Reyes to head in Dayron Blanco's free kick in the 91st minute. The equalizer likely will mean that Canada will face heavily favored Mexico on Saturday, if the Mexicans win or draw Tuesday in their Group B finale against Panama.
Only the semifinal winners will qualify for the London Olympics.
The goal by Reyes was the first for Cuba in three games of the Olympic qualifying finals and the first allowed by Canada.
Blanco floated a free kick from about 30 meters over the head of Drew Beckie and onto the head of Reyes, who had slipped in front of Matt Stinson to head in at the edge of the six-yard box. Reyes, one of only four available substitutions for Cuba - including reserve goalkeeper Julio Pichardo, entered the match in the 69th minute for Maikel Chang.
Regardless, Cuba - the top qualifier from the Caribbean - had already been eliminated and finished with one point and outscored 11-1.
Evan James scored Canada's goal in the 25th minute, only its third goal in three games and the first from the run of play.
Despite playing without Dario Macias and Carlos Domingo Francisco - both suspended due to red cards in games against the United States and El Salvador - and the absent Yosmel De Armas, Cuba had at least an equal share of the play through the first 20 minutes.
But Canada began to get more possession and went ahead when Lucas Cavallini found space on the left, sprinted to the byline and served a rolling ball to the top of the area, where James ran onto to it and volleyed into the right-side netting.
Felix Guerra, who had Cuba's best opportunity early, a 15th-minute shot that was deflected before grabbed by Canada keeper Michal Misiewicz, had its only chance the rest of the half - a shot high and wide in the 27th.
Cuba keeper Odisnel Cooper twice had athletic reaction saves to keep his side within a goal. He had to dive low to his left to deny James' try from just outside the area in the 64th and tipping Russell Teibert's free kick from 25 meters over the bar in the 71st.
The meeting was the first in Olympic qualifying between Canada and Cuba since 1984 and the second draw in four matches.
Cuba remained winless in the final round of CONCACAF Olympic qualifying, having lost seven and drawn six.
