The group stages of the Gold Cup have just concluded, and we’re now down to the business end of the tournament. The quarterfinalists are pretty much as expected- if Panama had qualified, we would’ve actually ended up with the same eight teams as the ones in the Octagonal for World Cup qualification.
Here’s a look at the QF match-ups
Qatar vs El Salvador
This is a very interesting game on paper. The presence of Qatar in Group D is probably what made it an effective Group of Death and caused the elimination of Panama. The Asian champions, invitees to the tournament, qualified as group winners, with Honduras as runners-up.
El Salvador gave tournament favourites Mexico a real run for their money in Group A but their final day 1-0 loss forced them to settle for second spot behind El Tri. Hugo Perez has made La Selecta a formidable opponent, and the winner of this clash could probably be considered as dark horses for the tournament.
The two sides actually met in a friendly before the Gold Cup, with Qatar winning 1-0 thanks to Almoez Ali’s strike.
USA v Jamaica
The United States qualified as group winners, edging rivals Canada in their final game to finish with a 100% record.
Jamaica are tricky opponents, boasting of plenty of players with European and Premier League experience. However, one of them, Fulham’s Bobby DeCordova-Reid, who scored a stunner in their tournament opener against Suriname, has reportedly contracted Covid and didn’t feature in their next group games against Guadeloupe and Costa Rica. The Reggae Boyz still have the likes of Leon Bailey, Andre Gray, Adrian Mariappa, Michael Hector and Liam Moore in their ranks though.
A draw no bet on the United States here- two way odds as explained in this article, would appear to be a safe punt on Gregg Berhalter’s men.
Costa Rica vs Canada
Los Ticos were nowhere near their best but still managed 3 wins out of 3 in the group stages, the only team apart from the United States to do so in the tournament.
Canada have been hit by injuries and withdrawals, with the latest ones to key forwards Cyle Larin and Ayo Akinola adding to the woes of a side already without Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies. Larin scored three of their eight goals in the group stages and in particular will be a huge loss.
Mexico v Honduras
Mexico weren’t quite at their fluent best but topped their group and more importantly, didn’t let in a single goal during the group stages- the only one of the 16 teams participating in the tournament to do so. All four of Mexico’s goals in the tournament so far have been scored by the local based players in their squad.
Honduras would otherwise be decent opposition, but Covid, injuries and their younger players participating in the Olympics have taken a toll on the side, and they will start underdogs against El Tri, more so in the absence of Romell Quioto and Alberth Ellis, both of whom were injured in their final group game.
The winner of the Mexico Honduras clash will take on the winners of the Costa Rica-Canada one, which keeps the possibility of a USA-Mexico final very much alive.