A second-half penalty from Dwayne De Rosario gave Canada a 1-0 victory over an undermanned Guadeloupe on Saturday night, and revived their hopes of reaching the quarterfinals at the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The win improved Canada to three points in Group C, while Guadeloupe lost their second match in as many games and will need a win against Panama on Tuesday in their first-round finale to have any chance of advancing. Whitecaps FC midfielder Terry Dunfield put in a solid 90-minute performance for the Canadians, despite being booked in the 85th minute at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
The Gwada Boys were reduced to 10 men in the fourth minute when Jean-Luc Lambourde was ejected for a lunging studs-up challenge on Will Johnson just outside the Guadeloupe box. It was the second consecutive match in which the Caribbean islanders had to play with a man disadvantage.
The goal for Canada, however, did not come until the 51st minute. Canada was awarded a penalty after Stephane Zubar pulled the shirt of Canadian striker Ali Gerba and shoved him down. De Rosario then struck the penalty to the right, as Guadeloupe goalkeeper Franck Grandel dived the other way.
Canada had the advantage early with Lambourde's ejection, enabling it hold possession and make Guadeloupe chase the ball. Their patience led to some attractive buildup play and pinned Guadeloupe in their own half for much of the opening 45 minutes.
Gerba appeared to have given Canada the lead in the 15th minute, but his swift turn-and-chip past Grandel was ruled offside. Gerba had another chance in the 33rd minute, but he scuffed it wide after receiving a bounced pass from Josh Simpson inside the six-yard box.
After a long stretch in which both teams slowed the pace, Canadian defender Mike Klukowski nearly put his side ahead a couple of minutes before halftime. The left fullback burst into the area and an exchange of passes, but his shot went just wide of the right post.
Despite being a man down, the Gwada Boys seemed fresher to start the second half. David Fleurival forced Canadian goalkeeper Milan Borjan into a reaction save less than a minute after the restart.
The pressure would not help Guadeloupe, however, and they went down to De Rosario's penalty in the 51st minute.
The goal brought about more tentative play from both sides, as neither team could muster anything threatening for the remainder of the match.
The Canadians next face Panama in Kansas City on Tuesday, while Guadeloupe take on the United States in the final matches in Group C.
