By Jeff Carlisle

OAKLAND - First-half goals from Loic Loval and David Fleurival saw Guadeloupe fashion another Gold Cup surprise, beating Central American champion Panama 2-1 on Sunday.

The Gwada Boys, who were missing four players because of injury, including the 2007 Gold Cup's top goalkeeper Franck Grandel, also received some stellar play from his replacement Marius Fausta.

Nelson Barahona pulled a goal back for Panama in the 68th minute, but it wasn't enough to stop Guadeloupe from claiming all three points at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.

"We were confident enough that we knew we could do something interesting in this tournament," Guadeloupe captain Stephane Auvray said. "The most important thing was to get the three points, but I think we can do better in the next game. We can keep the ball much more, but for the first game it's a good start."

The match opened with some rugged challenges on both sides as Guadeloupe's Aurelian Capoue and Panama's Armando Gun each received yellow cards inside the first 10 minutes.
Panama then carved out the game's first opening when Barahona's return feed to Blas Perez saw the striker's close-range shot blocked by Fausta, with some considerable help from defender Miguel Cominges.

That proved a brief respite from the parade of yellows, with Panama's Barahona and Felipe Baloy as well as Guadeloupe's Mickael Tacalfred each cautioned over the next 15 minutes.

As the half wore on, Capoue found plenty of space on the counter, and one such foray saw Guadeloupe nearly break on top in the 32nd minute. Capoue's cross was met by Loval, but his attempted chip was saved by Panama keeper Jaime Penedo.

Yet it was only one minute later that the two players combined to put the Gwada Boys on top with the help of a terrible defensive error. Capoue's cross looked set to be dealt with by Gun, but his attempted chest pass back to Penedo was too soft and Loval pounced to poke the ball into the goal.

Fleurival then doubled the Gwada Boys' advantage with a stunning goal two minutes before halftime. He collected Loval's pass 40 yards from goal, and unleashed a blast that flew into the upper corner of Penedo's net. It was a goal reminiscent of the one Fleurival scored two years ago against Canada.

"[Loval] told me I had the time and space to control," said Fleurival through an interpreter. "I didn't think. I just took it. In the end it was the important goal because we won 2-1."

Jose Luis Garces nearly pulled a goal back for Panama in first-half stoppage time, but his fierce drive forced a foot-save from Fausta that was equal parts awkward and effective.

"[The effort] wasn't good at all," Panama head coach Gary Stempel said. "I'm very disappointed in the way we started the first half, and we gave away a very silly goal. The second half was much, much better. It was a completely different team…but at 2-0 it makes the game difficult."

Panama's second-half onslaught began with Perez threatening twice inside the first minute, while a Barahona free kick four minutes later forced a superb save from Fausta.
Fausta nearly kept his shutout in the 68th minute, reacting to knock away Perez's bicycle kick attempt, but Barahona volleyed the rebound to halve the deficit.
Barahona nearly equalized in the 74th minute, but Fausta produced another unorthodox foot save to keep Guadeloupe in front.

"I'm good with both feet, and I made the save that was demanded at the time," Fausta said through an interpreter. "Whatever it takes to get the ball out and get a body in front of it. I know how to play football, and that's what it took."

Perez had one final chance in stoppage time, but his close-range header went just over the bar, completing a disheartening afternoon for Panama.
Guadeloupe meanwhile is confident things will only get better.

"I don't think we're physically fit yet," Auvray said. "We are able to play around one hour, but the last half an hour is really hard for us. After the second and third game, I think we'll be able to produce more."