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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts and Nevis – Canada is through to the third round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup as winners of Group D after hanging on for a 0-0 draw with St. Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park.
The result leaves the North Americans on an unassailable 11 points with a game remaining, four ahead of second-place St. Kitts.The two teams meet again on Tuesday in Toronto with nothing at stake. The Canadians had no shortage of scoring opportunities, especially early in the game, but Josh Simpson, Simeon Jackson and Dwayne De Rosario all failed to convert. After absorbing the early pressure, the Sugar Boyz settled well and even had spells in possession, creating some chances of their own. Buoyed by a boisterous home crowd and not intimated by its opponent, St. Kitts was prepared to make history.
In the first half, Ian Lake, scorer of three qualifying goals, had a shot go wide.Minutes later Isaac George went down in the box, but his appeals for a penalty were waved off. Canada was able to come on late, but St. Kitts goalkeeper Akil Byron made fine saves off efforts from Julian de Guzman and substitute Tosaint Ricketts.
Goalkeeper Lars Hirschfeld saved the day for the visitors in the 83rd minute, when he managed to palm away an attempt from distance by Matthew Berkeley. Byron came up trumps off Simeon Jackson in the final minutes, saving two attempts from the Norwich City standout. The result was Canada’s second-consecutive scoreless draw in qualifying and it has not conceded a goal in four-straight. St. Kitts and Nevis remains unbeaten in group play with one win and four ties. |
 Canada 4 St. Kitts and Nevis 0 |
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