Canada goalless vs. Guatemala, settling for 2nd straight draw in Gold Cup group play

Canada battled to a 0-0 draw against Guatemala Saturday night, a result that left the national men's soccer team with its back against the wall in CONCACAF Gold Cup play in Houston.

Canada went into the match hoping for a win to boost their chances of advancing out of Group D play but were outplayed by Guatemala for long stretches.

Canada pressed in the game's late stages.

A few minutes later centre back Steven Vitoria blasted a shot that Hagen stopped.

Guadeloupe and Guatemala led Group D with four points from a win and a draw.

Canada has two points from the two draws.

Canada, ranked 47th in the world, faces No. 165-ranked Cuba Tuesday in Houston in a must-win game.

The game was played before a vocal, pro-Guatemala crowd in 34 Celsius heat and 65 per cent humidity at Shell Energy Stadium.

Canada was booed by a hometown crowd in Toronto when they opened Group D play with a 2-2 draw against Guadeloupe Tuesday. Guatemala defeated Cuba 1-0 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in its first game of the tournament.

Guadeloupe defeated Cuba 4-1 earlier Saturday.

Canada's best scoring chance of the opening half came in the 29th minute. Lucas Cavallini headed a ball to forward Junior Hoilett who twisted and fired a shot that sailed over the net.

A Canadian giveaway allowed Guatemala to threaten in the 20th minute. Forward Nathaniel Mendez had a clear shot from the top of the box but goalkeeper Milan Borjan made the save.

Midfielder Liam Miller raised Canadian hopes with a hard shot from distance in the 23rd minute that Hagen scooped up.

Canada got lucky in the 33rd minute. Aaron Herrera sent a corner kick into the box and a defensive lapse left defender Jose Ardon all alone, but he failed to make contact with the ball.

A few minutes later