South Africa, Jamaica Advance After 3-3 Tie
Surprising South Africa continued its quixotic run as an invited guest in the CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday, earning a 3-3 draw with Jamaica in a Group C match in front of an announced 30,710 at the Coliseum and clinching a spot in the quarterfinals.
Jamaica also clinched a spot in the next round with the tie.
South Africa, which upset tournament favorite Mexico, 2-1, on Friday, never trailed the Reggae Boyz despite playing down a man after the expulsion of forward Sibonisio Gaxa in the 48th minute and being outshot, 24-11 overall, 12-4 in shots on goal.
Said South Africa Coach Stuart Baxter: “We’re down a man and we start to say, ‘If we win, great. If not, we’ll try to get out of this with a draw.’ ”
Mission accomplished.
Abram Raseleman (35th minute), Lungisani Ndlela (41st) and Siyabango Nomvete (56th) scored for Bafana Bafana. Jermaine Hue (36th), Damion Stewart (43rd) and Teafore Bennett (80th) had the equalizers for the Reggae Boyz.
South Africa meets a deflated Guatemala -- riding a 13-game winless streak in Gold Cup play after being eliminated by Mexico earlier Sunday -- in Houston on Wednesday to close out group play
Jamaica, which plays Mexico in its last group match, lost defender Tyrone Marshall in the 83rd minute when he went up for a header and he said he “heard a pop” in his left leg.
Marshall, who also plays for the Galaxy, was diagnosed with a strained quadriceps.
“It’s not good, but I’m hoping for the best,” Marshall said. “The best case is I miss Mexico but then I’m ready for the next round.”
Jamaica has scored seven goals in two games but has given up six.
Honduras 2, Colombia 1 -- Wilmer Velasquez scored twice in a four-minute span late in the second half, helping Honduras rally for a victory at Miami.
Trailing 1-0, Honduras tied the score when Wilson Palacios’ pass eluded the defense and Velasquez scored on a 20-yard shot inside the right post in the 78th minute. Velasquez scored his second goal off a pass from Milton Nunez.
Panama 2, Trinidad and Tobago 2 -- Cornell Glen scored in second-half injury time, rallying Trinidad and Tobago to a tie with Panama at Miami. Glen’s goal came after Luis Tejada scored in the 89th minute for Panama.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
