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• 09 / 11 / 2008

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Carlos Ruiz scored a pair of goals as host Guatemala took an easy 4-1 win over Cuba on Wednesday night in one of the qualifiers of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) for the FIFA World Cup 2010.
 
Ruiz’s goals in the 37th and 54th minutes gave Guatemala a 2-1 lead after Roberto Linares had put Cuba ahead in the 24th. Linares was expelled in the 56th minute and Mario Rodriguez and Jose Contreras - who replaced Ruiz in the 80th - added goals in the final five minutes to ensure Guatemala’s victory.

Also in Group A, the United States took their third consecutive win of this qualifying round as they blanked Trinidad and Tobago 3-0.

After these results, the Americans top the standings with nine points while Guatemala and Trinidad have four units apiece, although the Central Americans are ahead on goal difference. Cuba is at the bottom with three losses in as many outings.

Two teams will advance to the final round of qualifying.

Guatemala next faces Trinidad & Tobago at home on October 11th while Cuba, which has been outscored 8-1 in its three semifinal round games, next plays the United States in Washington.

Source: CubaSi