Mexico (pictured) qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup after defeating Trinidad & Tobago in the match for third in the CONCACAF Women's Championship on October 26, 2014, in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. (Photo: Mexsport)
CHESTER, Pennsylvania – Mexico earned a 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup berth following a 4-2 extra-time victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Sunday in the third place game of the 2014 CONCACAF Women’s Championship (CWC). It will be the Tricolor’s second consecutive trip to the competition and third overall.
The process of securing a place at Canada 2015, though, was not as straight forward as the one four years earlier. As host of the 2010 CONCACAF qualifying tournament, Mexico finished as runner-up, defeating the United States in the semifinals, before falling 1-0 to Canada in the final.
This time around, the Mexicans dropped a 1-0 decision to Costa Rica in its opener, but went on to beat Martinique (10-0) and Jamaica (3-1) for a second-place finish in Group B.
In the semifinal meeting against the United States, head coach Leonardo Cuellar rested multiple starters. A 3-0 loss followed, setting up a key meeting in the match for third place against the Caribbean champion.
Though it took 120 minutes to do so, Cuellar’s player personnel strategy paid off, as a pair of goals by Veronica Charlyn Corral – one in each extra period -- proved to be the difference.
“Our qualification has brought a sense of joy and relief,” said Cuellar. “I am very proud of the team and the federation’s commitment to women’s soccer. We want to keep learning.”
Corral’s goals gave her four for the tournament. The 23-year-old forward, who has also represented Mexico in three FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups, will now have a chance to play in her second Women’s World Cup.
“We have time to work and to arrive well to the World Cup,” said Corral, the all-time scoring leader in CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship history with 14 goals. “The fourth goal was the decisive one.”