C/Rica women squeak past J’ca

SAN JOSE: Costa Rica and Canada each posted shutout wins on Saturday in the CONCACAF Olympic women’s football qualifying tournament. Hosts Costa Rica got a 44th-minute goal from Megan Chaves to squeak by Jamaica 1-0, while Aysha Jamani scored four goals as Women’s World Cup semi-finalists Canada crushed Panama 6-0. Canada and Costa Rica, who face each other today, both advanced to the second round of the regional competition. Eight teams are competing for two berths at the Athens Olympics.

Chaves scored the match-winner for Costa Rica by blasting in a free kick in with her right foot. Forward Shirley Cruz and Chaves had other chances to increase their lead, but Jamaica goalkeeper Chantelle McClennon held strong in net. The Jamaicans played short-handed after Diana Hue was expelled in the 63rd for getting her second yellow card. In the early match, Andrea Neil helped Canada by netting two goals, the first in the 13th minute despite complaints from Panama that she was offside. Jamani doubled the lead in the 22nd, and Neil made it 3-0 in the 25th.

In the second half, Diana Matheson found Jamani nearly alone in front of the goal to score again. Jamani then stole the ball from goalkeeper Monica Franco to score in the 65th minute. Ten minutes later, she broke away to score her fourth goal. Melissa Tancredi missed a chance to add another when Franco stopped her penalty kick. Yesterday, the two-time Women’s World Cup winners United States played Mexico.