Haiti, Mexico battle to CU20 draw
Action from the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship game between Mexico (green jersey) and Haiti on January 22, 2015, in Montego Bay, Jamaica. (Photo: Mexsport)
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Haiti and Mexico played to a 1-1 draw in the final group stage game of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Thursday evening.
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With its qualification to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup already assured, Mexico made numerous changes to the lineup.  The two-time defending champion's competition record 14-game winning streak also came to an end.
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Nerlin Saint-Vil scored with a stunning strike to cancel out Mexico’s first half advantage. His left-footed effort from 25-yards out in the 53rd minute flew into the upper top corner, leaving goalkeeper Edson Resendez with no chance.
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Mexico opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a bit of fortune.  Mauro Lainez’s shot from the top of the 18-yard box was deflected past Haitian goalkeeper Ramos Pointe Jour by his defender Marckendel Paul.
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Having the majority of possession and scoring opportunities, Mexico couldn’t generate another goal.
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Victor Guzman rattled the crossbar from long distance just before the half.
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Mexico then hit the woodwork once more in the 57th minute after Luis Marquez controlled a Jose Robles cross.
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Pablo Jaquez glanced a header wide from six-yards out off a Tricolor free kick in the 82nd minute and Diego Pineda saw his shot blocked in the first minute of second half stoppage time.
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Mexico (4-1-0) finished atop Group B and will face Group A champion Panama (5-0-0, 15 points) in Saturday’s final, while Haiti returns with three draws and two losses in five games.