Mexico sealed their place in the final six-team CONCACAF group last month and is joined by the USA, recent All White opponents Jamaica and Honduras, as well as Panama and Costa Rica.
The USA only needed a draw to progress after their 2-1 away win at Antigua & Barbuda, but managed a 3-1 victory over Guatemala despite going behind early on.
From Group A they were joined by Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz – visitors to New Zealand in February for the ASB Summer International – who defeated Antigua & Barbuda 4-1 to go through on goal difference ahead of Guatemala.
In Group B, Mexico finished with six wins from six starts, while Costa Rica’s 1-0 away win in El Salvador, backed up by a 7-0 victory over Guyana allowed them to join El Tri at the top of the group.
Rounding out the finalists were Central American pair Honduras and Panama, whose goalless draw on Friday set up a grand-stand finish in the tightest of the three groups.
Panama’s 1-1 draw with Cuba in Havana was enough to see them through and while Canada also needing a point to progress, they came unstuck against a rampant Honduras who triumphed 8-1.
The fourth-round of CONCACAF qualifying kicks off in February next year, and will conclude in October. The ‘Hexagonal Final’ is played as a home-and-away league system with the top three teams qualifying directly for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The fourth-placed team advances to the intercontinental play-off with the Oceania winner over two legs in November 2013.
The All Whites are currently leading the Oceania qualifying table, unbeaten after four games and on-track to claim the Oceania berth in the intercontinental play-off against the fourth best CONCACAF nation.
However their spot is far from certain with the team still needing to defeat a New Caledonia squad that is chasing World Cup glory themselves, in March next year to secure the spot.
Story courtesy of New Zealand Football.
For more on New Zealand Football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

Share