Mexico ousts Canada from CONCACAF Olympic qualifying

Canada's Olympic dream was dashed by a powerful Mexican team Saturday.

Marco Fabian had a goal and an assist to lead Mexico to a 3-1 victory over Canada in the semifinals of CONCACAF's Olympic qualifying tournament.

The Canadians had to play the last 13 minutes shorthanded after defender Doneil Henry was sent off for his second yellow card.

Mexico took the lead for good in a quick first-half exchange of goals.

Canada's Marcus Haber tied it with a header in the 32nd minute, but a minute later Alan Pulido finished off a give-and-go from Fabian to make it 2-1.

"You think you're back in the game, and then all of a sudden you go down again," Canada coach Tony Fonseca said.

"Obviously, that makes everything bad for the team. I thought we kept battling, kept fighting for things, but unfortunately in that particular moment it was painful to watch."

A win would have sent Canada's under-23 men's team to the Olympics for the first time since the 1984 Games in Los Angeles.  

Canada had reason to be optimistic after upsetting the United States, but the team was forced to face Mexico after a 1-1 draw against Cuba cost them top spot in the group and a much easier opponent in Honduras.

Mexico secured its 10th Olympic berth and will meet Honduras in the championship game on Monday. Mexico did not make it into the 2008 Games.

"We don't have to relax," said American-born midfielder Miguel Angel Ponce, who gave Mexico an insurance goal in the 59th minute. "We're in the Olympics, but we have another important game and we have to do a nice job."

Mexico has already beaten Honduras 3-0 in the group stage, but coach Luis Fernando Tena said he would not make wholesale changes to his lineup for Monday's game.

"We're going to maintain the base," he said. "We're going to make a couple of changes, but nothing too serious."