Haiti beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0, while Panama hammered Cuba 4-0 on Friday to qualify for the centenary edition of the Copa America in June.
South America’s premier soccer championship has been expanded to include North American nations for the first time in celebration of its 100-year anniversary, and is to be held one year after the last tournament, which won by hosts Chile.
Haiti had the best of a tight game against their Caribbean rivals, but it took them until the 83rd minute before they got the goal that counted.
Photo: AFP
Pascal Millien carried the ball 50 yards from deep inside his own half before his cross-cum-shot was missed by two defenders, a Haitian forward and goalkeeper Jan Williams before sneaking into the far corner of the net.
The goal was awarded to forward Kervens Belfort Fils, but television pictures showed he did not get a touch on the ball.
The second match of a doubleheader at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City saw the hosts get off to the perfect start when Gabriel Gomez headed home after just four minutes, though he might have been in an offside position.
Luis Tejada doubled Panama’s lead with a penalty 14 minutes later before substitute Armando Cooper put the result beyond doubt six minutes into the second half when he blasted home from inside the box.
Blas Perez got the fourth with a header in the 88th minute.
The finals are to take place in 10 US cities between June 3 and June 26, with the championship match being held at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey.
The tournament is to feature all 10 teams from South America plus six from the North America, Central America and the Caribbean region, with Haiti and Panama joining Mexico, Jamaica, Costa Rica and hosts the US.
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