Maynor Ignacio Lopez of Guatemala falls over Hugo Ayala of Mexico

by patgarcia | March 15, 2008 at 09:30 am | 157 views | add comment

Photo Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Maynor Ignacio Lopez of Guatemala falls over Hugo Ayala of Mexico after
being tripped up during the CONCACAF Olympic qualifier at the Home
Depot Center in Carson, California. Guatemala defeated Mexico 2-1.

Los Angeles.– Maynor Ignacio Lopez scored in the 67th minute to give Guatemala a 2-1 victory over Mexico on Friday night in Group B play at the CONCACAF men's Olympic qualifying tournament.

The game was the second of a doubleheader. In the first game, Haiti beat Canada 2-1.
Guatemala earned its first victory over Mexico in 40 years of Olympic qualifying and earned a berth in the March 20 semifinals in Nashville, Tenn.

With one game left, Guatemala has six points, Haiti has three points and Mexico and Canada each have one. The group's top two finishers qualify for the semifinals.

Lopez, who entered the game in the 54th minute, broke a 1-1 tie with a glancing 2-yard header off Marco Papa's corner kick from the right flank.

Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute on Edgar Castillo's 13-yard shot. Guatemala tied the score in the 40th minute when Jean Marquez's midfield pass freed Carlos Villa for a breakaway, and Villa converted from 19 yards.