Caribbean rivals Cuba and Trinidad & Tobago played to a 0-0 draw Wednesday at the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, assuring Mexico of a quarterfinal berth.
It was the second time in three days that Cuba was held without a goal, leaving its knockout-round fate depending on the result of the Group D finale between Trinidad and Mexico. Mexico beat Cuba 3-0 on Monday, meaning Trinidad needs a win, draw or a loss by two goals or less to advance.
Cuba will need Mexico to win by four goals to be assured of advancing.
Mexico joined Costa Rica and Canada in the final eight. Costa Rica and Canada qualified with the Ticos' 3-0 victory over Guadeloupe earlier Wednesday.
Neither side created many dangerous chances. The closest either team came to scoring came in the 38th minute when Trinidad keeper Stefan Berkley blocked Dario Suarez's right-footed volley from 12 meters with and extended left leg.
Other than that, both were largely relegated to chances from distance, which rarely troubled Berkley or his Cuban counterpart Odisnel Cooper.
Trinidad had more possession and shots, but Suarez's chance was one of the few times either side was able to attempt a shot from inside the penalty area.
Trinidad's Shahdon Winchester had a late chance for Trinidad in the 83rd, volleying a softly lofted ball from Kenaz Williams into the area at the edge of the six-yard box, but sending it well over the bar.
The "Young Warriors" are trying for their second consecutive trip to the World Cup and third overall, while Cuba, playing in the CONCACAF finals for the first time since 2002, has never qualified for the world championship
VIDEO - Highlights.
Teams
Trinidad & Tobago: - 21.Stefan Berkeley, 4.Sheldon. Bateau (capt), 5.Akeem Adams (Yellow 90), 6.Joevin Jones, 12.Akil Clarke (Yellow 64), 15.Dwight Ceballo, 19.Weslie John (Yellow 52), 17.Marcus Joseph, 9.Johan Peltier (11.Cordell Cato 85th), 8.Kenaz Williams, 10.Jerrel Britto (7.Shahdon Winchester 71st).Cuba: - 1.Odisnel Cooper, 5.Renay Malblanche, 4.Jose Macias, 3.Jorge Corrales (Yellow 50), 8.Pedro Suarez (15.Angel Rodriguez 81st), 10.Maikel Chang, 17.Dairon Blanco, 18.Francisco Zalazar, 6.Osay Martinez (13.Over Urgelles 49th), 9.Yaudel Lahera, 11.Yasnay Rivero (7.Ricardo Peña 57th).
Referee: - Trevor Taylor (Barbados).
Attendance: - 1500.
Venue: - Estadio Cementos Progreso Ciudad de Guatemala.
Date: - March 30, 2011.