PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- Honduras
scored an impressive 4-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago 4-2 in
their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
The win was Honduras' first in the final round of the
tournament, and moved them up to third place in the six-team
group behind the United States and Costa Rica.
The defeat left the Soca Warriors rooted to the bottom of
the standings.
The U.S., who were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica in
Kingston, have 10 points while Costa Rica moved into second
position on seven points following a shock 2-1 win over Mexico
at the Atzeca Stadium.
Honduras and Jamaica are next on five points, ahead of
Mexico (four points) and Trinidad and Tobago (one point).
Honduras dominated the first half and took the lead in the
13th minute through skipper Carlos Pavon who converted a penalty
after David Sauzo was bundled over in the penalty area by Denis
Lawrence.
The nippy Suazo troubled the TT defence all afternoon and
played a mjor role in the second goal, racing up the right flank
to thread the ball to Danilo Turcious, whose right-foot shot
from just inside the box gave TT goalkeeper Clayton Ince no
chance after 20 minutes.
The visitors then sat back and defended solidly to ensure
that the lead was maintained at the interval.
With their two-goal cushion, Honduras opted to play on the
counter-attack in the second half as the Soca Warriors went in
search of a goal to revive their hopes.
The ploy paid off when substitute Rony Morales benefitted
from the space left open at the back of the TT defence to give
Honduras a three-goal cushion in the 54th minute.
Trinidad and Tobago got on the scoresheet two minutes later
when substitute Russell Latapy capitalised on some poor
defending to give the 6,000 home fans something to cheer about.
However, Honduras held firm and extended their lead through
an 86th-minute penalty from Amado Gueverra before Stern John
pulled one back for the home side in the 90th minute.
Both teams play their next qualifiers on Wednesday, when
Trinidad and Tobago play the United States in Foxboro,
Massachusetts while Honduras return home to take on a
beleaguered Mexico.
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