The ***ociated Press
Saturday, May 31, 2008
WASHINGTON: El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes made nine saves to help his team to a scoreless draw with Guatemala in an international friendly Friday night.
In front of a crowd of 38,759 RFK Stadium, Montes proved to be the difference in a physical match that saw three yellow cards issued.
The match was preparation for World Cup qualifying for both sides.
Guatemala begins its run for a 2010 World Cup berth on June 14 at home in the first leg against St. Lucia, while El Salvador — having already advanced past
Anguilla in the first round — next faces Panama in Pamana City on June 15.
The first scoring opportunity came for El Salvador in the seventh minute when Guatemala keeper Luis Molina failed to beat El Salvador striker Rudis Corrales to a cross. Corrales ricocheted the ball past Molina, but could only find the outside of the net.
In the 31st minute, Guatemala came close to breaking the deadlock on perhaps the best opportunity of the match, when striker Mario Rodriguez headed a corner kick off the near post and almost in before Montes swatted it off the line.
Montes capped off his performance in the 92nd minute, robbing Guatemalan midfielder Abner Trigueros from eight yards with a sprawling save at the near post.
05-31-2008, 06:55 AM
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