Jamaica, El Salvador and Panama joined the United States in the semifinal round of the regional World Cup qualifying tournament on Sunday.
The four teams will start the group stage on Aug. 18, with two teams eventually advancing to the final six-team group. Three of those teams will qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while a fourth meets an Asian team in a playoff for another berth.
Jamaica got three first-half goals from Marlon King to eliminate Haiti 3-0 and 4-1 overall, while Luis Tejada, Dely Valdes and Alberto Blanco scored a goal each for Panama, which topped St. Lucia 3-0 and 7-0 overall.
El Salvador also clinched a spot in Group A after holding Bermuda to a 2-2 tie, which was enough to send the Central Americans to the next stage with a 4-3 total-goals win.
The Americans easily downed Grenada 3-2 and 6-2 overall.
Costa Rica also moved on, but barely. The 2002 World Cup participant was held to a 1-1 tie by Cuba, but advanced with two away goals after the series finished 3-3 overall.
Costa Rica will play in Group B with Canada, Guatemala and Honduras.
In Group C, Mexico is expected to lead the way against St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
In African World Cup qualifying, Senegal, Nigeria and Tunisia were all upset on the road while the Ivory Coast became the only team to stay perfect through two matches.
In Lome, Togo, Senaya Junior scored two goals and Adebayo Sheyi added another as Togo topped 2002 World Cup quarterfinalist Senegal 3-1. Bouba Diop scored for Senegal.
In Luanda, Angola, Akwa netted the match-winner in the 77th minute as Angola upset Nigeria 1-0. Nigeria has reached the last three World Cup finals and advanced to the second round twice.
In Conakry, Guinea, Kaba Diawara scored two goals as Guinea downed African Cup of Nations champion Tunisia 2-1. Najah Braham got one back for Tunisia.
In Alexandria, Egypt, Aruna Dindane and Didier Drogba were again the stars for the Ivory Coast, which beat Egypt 2-1. Both players also scored against Libya two weeks ago.
Mohamed Abu Traika struck for Egypt.
In other African matches, it was: Republic of Congo 3, Liberia 0; DR Congo 3, Burkina Faso 2; Ghana 3, South Africa 0; Benin 1, Sudan 1; and Zimbabwe 1, Algeria 1.
The five African group winners will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Associated Press.
The four teams will start the group stage on Aug. 18, with two teams eventually advancing to the final six-team group. Three of those teams will qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, while a fourth meets an Asian team in a playoff for another berth.
Jamaica got three first-half goals from Marlon King to eliminate Haiti 3-0 and 4-1 overall, while Luis Tejada, Dely Valdes and Alberto Blanco scored a goal each for Panama, which topped St. Lucia 3-0 and 7-0 overall.
El Salvador also clinched a spot in Group A after holding Bermuda to a 2-2 tie, which was enough to send the Central Americans to the next stage with a 4-3 total-goals win.
The Americans easily downed Grenada 3-2 and 6-2 overall.
Costa Rica also moved on, but barely. The 2002 World Cup participant was held to a 1-1 tie by Cuba, but advanced with two away goals after the series finished 3-3 overall.
Costa Rica will play in Group B with Canada, Guatemala and Honduras.
In Group C, Mexico is expected to lead the way against St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
In African World Cup qualifying, Senegal, Nigeria and Tunisia were all upset on the road while the Ivory Coast became the only team to stay perfect through two matches.
In Lome, Togo, Senaya Junior scored two goals and Adebayo Sheyi added another as Togo topped 2002 World Cup quarterfinalist Senegal 3-1. Bouba Diop scored for Senegal.
In Luanda, Angola, Akwa netted the match-winner in the 77th minute as Angola upset Nigeria 1-0. Nigeria has reached the last three World Cup finals and advanced to the second round twice.
In Conakry, Guinea, Kaba Diawara scored two goals as Guinea downed African Cup of Nations champion Tunisia 2-1. Najah Braham got one back for Tunisia.
In Alexandria, Egypt, Aruna Dindane and Didier Drogba were again the stars for the Ivory Coast, which beat Egypt 2-1. Both players also scored against Libya two weeks ago.
Mohamed Abu Traika struck for Egypt.
In other African matches, it was: Republic of Congo 3, Liberia 0; DR Congo 3, Burkina Faso 2; Ghana 3, South Africa 0; Benin 1, Sudan 1; and Zimbabwe 1, Algeria 1.
The five African group winners will qualify for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
Associated Press.
