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Cubans Qualify for 2007 USA Gold Cup Soccer

Saturday, January 20 2007 @ 09:18 AM POS/GMT

Cuban national soccer team clinched a ticket to the 2007 USA Gold Cup after drawing with Guyana to qualify for the semifinals of the Caribbean Cup in Trinidad and Tobago on Friday.

The Cubans, who needed only a tie, advanced on goal difference after Friday's goalless match at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella, local media reported.

This will be Cuba's fifth Gold Cup. The main Antilles team had four points (1-1-1) to appoint a spot in a very important regional football competition scheduled from June 6-24 in six American venues.

Besides the four Caribbean semi-finalists, some other champions will also participate in the Gold Cup.

They are: Canada, Mexico and the United States, as well as the champions emerged among five Central American teams who will play against each other from February 8-18 in El Salvador.

In Friday's match, Guyana dominated the first half, exerting pressure for their opponents in the midfield, but Raul Gomez's team presented a firm defense in the second half to deny all efforts from the visitors.

The Caribbean Cup semifinals, also known as Digicel Cup, are scheduled for January 20 in the Hasley Crawford stadium in Port of Spain where Cuba will face the local team who won the series in the city.

In another match, Guadeloupe, who defeated Saint Vincent and Grenadines 1-0, will face Haiti.

The title of last Caribbean Cup in 2005 went to Jamaica after they defeated Cuba 1-0.