S.Arabia book Gold Cup quarters berth after draw with Trinidad

Firas Al Buraikan found the all-important equalizer for Saudi Arabia to notch a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday in Las Vegas, ensuring the CONCACAF's guests would advance to the knockout stage of the Gold Cup.

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While the United States won Group D with a perfect 3-0-0 record, Saudi Arabia finished 1-1-1 (4 points) to place second. Trinidad and Tobago (0-1-2, 2 points) would have leapfrogged Saudi Arabia for second with a victory.

Justin Garcia nearly put Trinidad ahead in the sixth minute of second-half stoppage time, but his point-blank shot from the center of the box caromed off the crossbar.

Al Buraikan's tying goal also involved the woodwork. Saleh Al-Shehri received a pass down the center lane, dribbled around one defender and watched his ensuing shot hit the crossbar and stay out of the net. Al Buraikan ran in to collect the ball and tap it behind goalkeeper Marvin Phillip. Dante Sealy staked Trinidad to a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute on a left-footed rocket from outside the box. Nawaf Al Aqidi made two saves for Saudi Arabia.

Despite playing a man down after Edgar Pujol received a red card for a foul in the 30th minute, the Dominican Republic played to a scoreless draw against Suriname in Arlington.