The Guatemalan Soccer Federation has fired Guatemala’s National Coach Ramon Maradiaga this Friday, after Guatemala’s failure to qualify for the 2006 World Cup in Germany next summer.

In a statement from the Guatemalan Soccer Federation yesterday it was said, "We have come to an agreement with Maradiaga, and the rest of the coaching team that their job was over as of Wednesday when Guatemala was left without an opportunity to participate in the 2006 World Cup,'' this was issued by Oscar Arroyo, the general manager of the G.S.F.

Guatemala, who last Saturday were in fourth place in the CONCACAF Zone, and were leading Trinidad and Tobago by one point, lost their match to Mexico in a thrilling 5-2 score-fest, which saw Trinidad and Tobago’s ‘Warriors’ leapfrog Guatemala's 'Ticos' into the fourth play-off place.

Guatemala then beat Costa Rica 3-1 in the last round of CONCACAF Zone qualifying matches on Wednesday, but were denied play-off contention when Trinidad and Tobago surprisingly defeated Mexico 2-1, winning the right to face Asia Zone contenders Bahrain in a two legged play-off for a World Cup Finals berth.

No statement has been made as to who will replace Maradiaga, but the Guatemalan Soccer Federation will be in no major hurry to appoint a new coach.

Trinidad and Tobago are hoping to join the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, the three direct qualifiers from the CONCACAF region in Germany next June.

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