Panama beats Cuba to assure US will play for Beijing spot

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

TAMPA, Florida (AFP) — Edwin Aguilar scored two goals and Panama defeated Cuba 4-1 here Saturday in a CONCACAF Group A Olympic qualifying match, ensuring the United States would advance to a semi-final match.

Panama had already been eliminated from any hope of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics in August while the Cubans had to win to have any hope of reaching China.

The result ensured the US men and Honduras would advance from Group A to next week's semi-final matches at Nashville, Tennessee, that will determine which two teams qualify for Beijing.

Guatemala have clinched a berth from Group B with Mexico, Canada and Haiti to determine the final smei-finalist on Sunday.

Aguilar scored in the 18th and 65th minutes while Nelson Barahona scored for...