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Panama Hat Trick
Created: 1/18/2007 9:39:08 AM
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From Harvard Athletics Communications
Harvard University freshman Andre Akpan scored a hat trick Wednesday night as the Under-20 Men's National Team defeated Haiti 4-1 to earn three points in their opening match of the 2007 CONCACAF Under-20 Qualifying Tournament.
Akpan’s goals came as part of a night that saw him earn both his first international cap as well as the start at forward. U-20 MNT head coach Thomas Rongen was rewarded for his decision to start the Grand Prairie, Texas native as Akpan factored in all four of the U.S.’s goals while scoring the game’s first, last and eventual game-winning goals.
The U.S. opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Akpan redirected a long, looping cross off a header from Anthony Wallace around Haiti goalkeeper Peterson Occenat and into the net. The U.S. added to its lead before halftime, as Akpan's point blank shot on a corner kick caromed off the post and trickled across the goal line as Occenat tried in vain to avert the goal. Danny Szetela set up the goal with a strong crossing pass.
Four minutes into the second the half, Wallace and Akpan were involved again for the third U.S. marker of the match. Left forward Robbie Rogers sent a cross that Akpan dummied at the near post as Wallace drove it home from the back post.
Rogers then set up Akpan on the final goal with a back-post cross that Akpan finished inside the opposite post.
Haiti's lone goal came in the 74th minute when Etienne Yveson score a penalty that was awarded when Quavas Kirk pulled the shirt of the mark as he tried to get between the attacker and the goal.
The U.S. next faces Guatemala on Friday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. ET live on GolTV and MatchTracker.
By virtue of Panama and Guatemala’s 1-1 draw in the second match of the night, the U.S. can solidify its place in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup with a victory in their next match against Guatemala on Friday, Jan. 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET. Fans can follow the match live on GolTV or usssoccer.com’s MatchTracker. The U.S. and Guatemala are no strangers as the two countries met twice in November (once in a closed-door match) with the U.S. coming away with 2-1 victories in both matches.
The U.S. is attempting to qualify for a CONCACAF record sixth straight FIFA U-20 World Cup, and their 11th overall. The current record is five straight, which is held by the U.S. and Mexico. The 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup will take place in Canada from June 30-July 22, across six cities – Burnaby, Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto and Victoria.
Attempting to qualify outside of the U.S. for the first time since 2001, the U.S. seemed right at home, jumping all over Haiti from the opening whistle and dominated possession throughout the match. The U.S. continually pressured Haiti’s backline while also holding the Caribbean nation to zero shots on goal in the first half (two overall), not allowing goalkeeper Chris Seitz to be tested until the 56th minute.
Akpan made his presence felt early on when he got on the end of a cross from right back Quavas Kirk in the seventh minute, heading the ball toward the left post, only to be stoned by Haiti goalkeeper Peterson Occenat with a sprawling save.
When the next opportunity came knocking in the 26th minute for the Harvard forward, he didn’t disappoint. Rogers threw the ball in from the left sideline to Wallace near the top of the penalty area and he quickly curled a left-footed cross into the box for Akpan. Probably getting more hair than head on the ball, Akpan buried the ball past Occenat.
A few minutes later, Akpan almost scored again when his darting run found him on the end of another service from Rogers, but this time the left post denied him.
The Akpan show continued to roll through Rommel Fernadez Stadium in the 39th minute when he knocked home a corner kick. Midfielder Danny Szetela floated the ball to the back post and Akpan’s slight touch knocked the ball off the right post before trickling along the goal line. With Julian Valentin rushing in, Occenat reached back to bring it in but couldn’t get the handle before it rolled over the line.
Akpan completed his hat trick in the 61st minute on a similar situation, but this time from the run of play. Rogers collected the ball on the left flank, darted past his defender and curled in a ball to the back post for the unmarked Akpan. The forward volleyed the ball first-time back across the goal, hitting the inside of the left post and bouncing into the net.
“With it being my first cap with the Under-20 National Team, it's one of the best experiences I've had in soccer,” said Akpan, who played in scrimmages against Canada but had yet to wear the U.S. uniform in an official match. “I can't think of another game I've had that will stand out like this one. I've had hat-tricks before, but not in a game this important.”
Akpan was also involved in the USA’s third goal, which was tallied by Wallace in the 48th minute after a splendid build-up from the left side. Ward started the attack by dribbling up the left flank before pushing it ahead for Rogers who drove the ball into the penalty area. Akpan did well to dummy the pass allowing it to fall to Wallace who darted in front of his marker at the six-yard box and hammered it past the ‘keeper.
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Related Schools: Harvard
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Related Sports: Soccer
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*This Article has been archived.*
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