Canada hold Mexico to 2-2 soccer WC qualifying draw

EDMONTON, Canada (AFP) — A determined Canada denied Mexico the victory they needed to advance in regional qualifying for the 2010 World Cup on Wednesday as they played to a 2-2 draw.

Ali Gerba in the 12th minute and Tomazs Radzinski in the 49th scored for Canada, who were already sure of missing the six-nation final round of qualifying for the North and Central American and Caribbean region.

Mexico, who could have advanced with a victory, saw Canadian Patrice Bernier deflect a ball into his own net for a goal in the 34th, and got the equalizer from naturalized Argentinian Vicente Matias Vuoso in the 64th.

The draw gave Group B leaders Mexico 10 points - one more than Honduras and three more than Jamaica.

Next month Jamaica host Canada and Mexico travel to Honduras to complete the semi-final round of qualifying.