CONCACAF teams learn World Cup draw fate

08 November 2012 08:47

The United States face three away matches in their first four fixtures in next year's final phase of 2014 World Cup qualifying in the North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF) region.

Jurgen Klinsmann's USA will open their campaign in Honduras on February 6, while regional powerhouse Mexico host Jamaica. In the other match in the six-team round, Panama play Costa Rica.

"In a draw like that nothing is going to turn out perfectly. Usually, a team would like to have the first game at home, but if you don't have the first game at home you make the best out of it," Klinsmann said.

"I think it's an exciting group and it will go all the way down to the last game to decide who is going to the World Cup," he added after Wednesday's draw.

Three CONCACAF teams will advance directly to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, while the fourth-placed team will play off against a side from Oceania.

After the Honduras game, the United States host Costa Rica on March 22 then travel to Mexico on March 26. They visit Jamaica on June 7.

"If you get the results on the road, there will be far more confidence in your home games and you can finish it off," Klinsmann said. "It's fine with me. We've just got to be really sharp and focused and get the job done on the road in difficult environments."

The six teams will play each other twice, with the final fixtures slated for October 15, 2013.

Source: AFP