GUATEMALA CITY, Oct 15 (SW) - After his team missed out on a World Cup play-off, Guatemala head coach Ramón Maradiaga was sacked on Friday.

Guatemala, although they defeated Costa Rica 3-1 on Wednesday in their final World Cup qualifying match, finished fifth, two points behind Trinidad & Tobago who advanced to a play-off with Bahrain after defeating Mexico.

Oscar Arroyo, who is general manager of the Guatemalan FA issued the following statement: "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."