Mexico to face Panama in Gold Cup semis

Javier Hernandez of Mexico celebrates one of his goals with his teammates during the FIFA Confederations Cup Group A match vs. Japan on June 22, 2013 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Washington, July 21 (IANS): Mexico and Panama won their 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals and will face each other in the semifinal Wednesday.

Mexico beat Trinidad and Tobago thanks to an 84th minute goal from Raul Jimenez, winning 1-0 Saturday. The highest ranked team in CONCACAF moved within two victories to their third straight Gold Cup title.

It was the first time in 13 years that T and T reached the top eight in a Gold Cup tournament while the six-time champions Mexico reached have qualified for the semifinals for the ninth occasion.

Caribbean Cup champions Cuba were eliminated from the CONCACAF Gold Cup Tournament with a 1-6 loss to Panama in a quarterfinal game.

Cuba opened the scoring in the 21st minute from Jose Ciprian but then conceded a goal through a penalty as Gabriel Torres was spot on in the 25th minute for Panama Saturday night.

Panama added a second goal through Torres before the interval.

The Cubans lost their discipline in defence after Ariel Martinez was red carded for a high tackle in the 58th minute.

Panama capitalised on the situation and Carlos Rodriguez (68th), Blas Perez (78th, 87th) and substitute Jairo Jimenez (84th) completed the rout of the Cubans.

It also means that there are no Caribbean teams left in the remaining stages of the tournament.

Mexico will play Panama, in the semifinals in Dallas July 24.

The other semifinalists will be determined Sunday night in Baltimore when United States play El Salvador and Honduras against Costa Rica.