2023-06-30 04:22:43
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Coach Jaime Lozano stuck to an old soccer adage: Winners come back. And he worked for him. Henry Martín broke a scoring drought, Santiago Giménez took over and scored the same goal and Mexico defeated Haiti 3-1 on Thursday night to qualify for the second round of the Gold Cup.
Martín, who closed the league without goals and had not scored in El Tri’s three previous games, scored the first goal of the match at 46, Ricardo Adé scored an own goal at 56 and Giménez sealed the victory at 82 with his first goal with the absolute selection.
Danely Jean Jacques discounted at 78 for Haiti.
Mexico has six points and leads Group B above the Haitians who remain with three, while Honduras and Qatar drew 1-1 in the previous match and both trail with one point each.
The Mexicans close the first phase on Sunday against Qatar, while the Catrachos will face Haiti.
Any draw is enough for El Tri to secure first place in their sector and they would have to wait for Group C results to meet their rival in the quarterfinals.
Although in the previous days “Jimmy” Lozano hinted at probable changes, in the end he sent to the field the same 11 players who beat Honduras 4-0 last weekend and El Tri added their second victory.
This is a great management start for Lozano, who took the reins of the team on Wednesday of last week in relief of Argentine Diego Cocca.
Mexico knocked on the door early when Edson Álvarez smashed a shot into the post just four minutes into the game.
El Tri took the lead when Uriel Antuna sent a cross from the right into the box where Martín hit a header that hit the right post.
Shortly after, Jesús Gallardo sent a cross from the left into the heart of the box where Adé slid in and slotted the ball into his goal.
Haiti discounted in a corner kick in which Jean Jacques took advantage of the poor Mexican marking to make it 2-1.
Mexico set the course for the match thanks to a new play by Antuna, who overcame his marker and sent a cross into the area for the arrival of Giménez, who pushed the ball with his left leg to make it 3-1.
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