Soccer-Goal hero Dempsey had no idea U.S. could still qualify

By Mark Gleeson

RUSTENBURG, June 21 (Reuters) - American hero Clint Dempsey admitted he had no idea his side still had a chance to qualify while team mates said they had planned an honourable exit from the Confederations Cup.

Instead, a 3-0 win over Egypt on Sunday, combined with a 3-0 loss for Italy against Brazil in Pretoria, saw the Americans surprise qualifiers for the semi-final of the eight-team tournament in South Africa.

"I wasn't aware there was a possibility of getting through," Dempsey told a media conference after scoring the third and decisive goal for his team, who inched through ahead of the Italians on the number of goals scored.

"It was only after the coach mentioned it to us. We really just wanted to end on a good note."

Captain Landon Donovan said after Thursday's 3-0 defeat by Brazil, there was a feeling among the U.S. players they were headed home after losing their opening two matches in Group B.

"But this morning we woke up and thought, you never know what can happen, so let's go out and play a good game and try to score the first goal.

"At half-time when we walked off the field and they told us Italy were down 3-0, we then knew our chances of going through were realistic."

Watford defender Jay DeMerit said he did not believe semi-final qualification was possible but also had hopes an early goal would give the team some momentum.