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Mexico, Panama win their Gold Cup opening matches

Jared Borgetti and Nery Castillo both scored and prohibitive favorite Mexico survived an early scare from Cuba to win 2-1 on Friday in the opening Gold Cup match for both sides.

Playing with about half of his usual regulars, Hugo Sanchez won his first competitive match since taking the job of manager of El Tri in November.

Sanchez complained bitterly about the natural grass field at Giants Stadium -- which was installed over the artificial surface just under three weeks ago for a friendly between Ecuador and Ireland.

The New York Red Bulls played May 24 against Chicago on the field, and said it was slow.

"It's torture. You can't play like this," said Sanchez, who added he would ask to have today's game against Honduras moved from the stadium. "It kills the players legs. It's like playing on sand. I have played in this country. This country has many beautiful fields. This is not one of them. I'd rather play on an artificial field."

CONCACAF spokesman Steve Torres said the confederation would have to wait for any request from Mexico to be made formally, but as of Friday night, the games scheduled between Mexico and Honduras to be followed by Panama against Cuba were still set for today at the Giants Stadium.

In the other match played on Friday Panama converted their only two shots on goal in the first half, capitalizing on a man advantage after the 24th minute, and beat Honduras 3-2.

Panama, returning to the Giants Stadium where they lost to the US on penalties in the final two years ago, scored all of their goals after Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios was ejected in the 24th minute for a reckless studs-up tackle on Carlos Rivera in the Panamanian half of the field.

Rivera gave Panama the lead in the 33rd minute. After former New York Red Bulls midfielder Amado Guevara equalized seven minutes later, Blas Perez headed Panama ahead again three minutes before halftime. With Honduras pressing for a second equalizer, Jose Luis Garces added the insurance for Panama in the 82nd.

The extra goal proved vital when second-half substitute Carlos Costly scored in the second minute of injury time for Honduras.

It was only the second win in group play in three trips to the Gold Cup finals for Panama.
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