BBC News | FOOTBALL | Canada win Gold Cup

BBC News Online: Sport: Football

Monday, 28 February, 2000, 09:21 GMT

Canada win Gold Cup

Canada 2-0 Colombia

Canada achieved their greatest feat on the world football stage, with a surprise victory in the final of the Gold Cup in Los Angeles.

Favourites Colombia were brushed aside as the Canadians won the tournament that brings together the top teams in CONCACAF, which includes North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

This has exceeded my wildest dreams. The crowd wasn't what it would have been if it was Mexico or the United States in the final, but in the long run, CONCACAF will profit and we will perform on a world level.
Goalkeeper Craig Forrest

British-based trio Craig Forrest, Jason DeVos and Carlo Corazzin were the heroes as Canada won their first ever trophy.

Dundee United striker Devos put them ahead in first-half injury time, with a header that went in via a post and goalkeeper Diego Gomez's hand.

And when the Colombian goalkeeper fouled Corazzin in the 78th minute, the Northampton Town forward dusted himself down and converted the spot-kick.

It was Corazzin's fourth goal in the Gold Cup as he finished the event as top-scorer.

Colombia then had a chance to set up a frantic finale - but West Ham goalkeeper Forrest saved a penalty five minutes from time.

Coin flip

Canada's triumph capped a remarkable run in the tournament.

The unfancied team, ranked 85th in the world by Fifa, reached the quarter-finals from Group D on the toss of a coin with South Korea.

Then came a 2-1 upset in extra time over 10th-ranked Mexico, the Gold Cup's three-time defending champion.

The Canadians followed that with a 1-0 semi-final victory against Dwight Yorke's Trinidad and Tobago.

No Canadian team had ever played in the final of an international tournament before and their best previous finish was the quarter-finals of the 1984 Olympics.

Canada coach Holger Osieck said: "We were complete outsiders. We did a great job in the final. To beat them the way we did is really something special."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "I'm so happy this region has a new champion. This is good because before it was just Mexico and the United States.

"I hope this gives a boost to thedevelopment of soccer in Canada for boys and girls."

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