Honduras qualifies for first World Cup since 1982

October 15, 2009

A 65th minute goal by veteran striker Carlos Pavon put Honduras into the World Cup for only the second time and first since 1982, giving “los Catrachos” a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday and trip to South Africa.

Pavon, playing in his 93rd game for Honduras leapt above El Salvador defender Alexander Escobar at the top of the six-yard box and unleashed a strong header into the top left corner of the El Salvador goal.

The result moved Honduras into third place in the CONCACAF “hexagonal” with 16 points, same as Costa Rica but ahead on goal difference. Costa Rica appeared headed to the World Cup for the third straight time, but allowed an injury-time equalizer and drew 2-2 with the United States.

Honduras midfielder David Suazo had raced down the wing and spun in a perfect cross to Pavon, who drove the the ball past El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes.

The goal was Pavon’s Honduras career-leading 56th and also helped him avenge Saturday’s 3-2 loss to the United States, where Pavon missed a penalty kick in the 86th minute.

The strike by Pavon reversed a trend in a match where the home side had enjoyed the majority of possession and scoring chances but couldn’t get the ball past Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

In the 18th minute El Salvador had the first chance to open the scoring when midfielder Eliseo Quintanilla made a strong diagonal move across the top of the penalty area and sent a pass Arturo Alvarez.

Instead of shooting the ball, Alvarez then sent a drop pass to Christian Castillo, who unleashed a hard shot which spun wide of goal.

One minute later, the visitors appeared to have taken the lead when Suazo found himself alone in front of the El Salvador goal.

However goalkeeper Montes rushed off his line and made a spectacular save to deny the visitors.

El Salvador continued to apply pressure against the visitors and were unlucky not to convert when Castillo drew three defenders at the top of the penalty area and then sent a side-footed pass to Salvador Correas, whose effort spun just wide of the Honduras goal.

Quintanilla, who had been instrumental in the success of El Salvador, was involved in a nasty collision with Honduras defender Osman Chavez in the 30th minute and eventually limped off the field 10 minutes later, replaced by Osael Romero.

The halftime break didn’t seem to motivate the visitors any better as Valladares was called into turn away a strong long distance effort from El Salvador’s Alexander Escobar in the 54th minute and a hard point-blank shot from Arturo Alvarez just four minutes earlier.

In the 90th minute, as El Salvador continued to press, Valladares again came to the rescue pushing a long distance effort by Alvarez just over the bar.

In injury time, Deris Umanzor found himself in great position at the top of the penalty area but his effort was blocked by Julio de Leon.

At the final whistle news of the result from Washington had reached the Honduras players on the field and the thousands of fans in the stands who had travelled with their team and a wild celebration ensued.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador

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United States beats Honduras, qualifies for sixth consecutive World Cup

October 11, 2009

Conor Casey scored a pair of second-half goals and Landon Donovan added another, sending the United States to a sixth consecutive World Cup with a 3-2 victory over Honduras Saturday night.

Casey scored in the 55th and 66th and Donovan added a free kick in the 71st to send the United States to South Africa along with Mexico, which clinched earlier in the day. Carlos Pavon missed an equalizing penalty in the 86th to doom Honduras.

Julio de Leon had a pair of goals for Honduras, which fell to the bottom of the standings in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with one match remaining.

The result kept the United States atop the standings with 19 points, one ahead of Mexico, four in front of Costa Rica and six ahead of Honduras. Three sides are guaranteed berths in the 32-team World Cup field with the fourth-placed side entering a two-leg playoff with the fifth-placed team from South America for the final berth in South Africa.

Honduras , in fourth place with 13 points, travels to faces already eliminated El Salvador on Wednesday in their final match needing a victory to have any chance of earning one of the three guaranteed berths. The United States will face Costa Rica in Washington on Wednesday.

Honduras had more chances in the first half but U.S. forward Charlie Davies had the best opportunity in the 32nd when, unmarked, he headed Stuart Holden’s cross that Noel Vallardares blocked with an outstretched right arm. The rebound came back to Davies, who sent it well over the bar.

Honduras took the lead in the 47th after U.S. defender Oguchi Onyewu fouled Carlos Pavon just outside the area. De Leon’s right-footed blast curled into the upper left corner past goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The United States responded when Casey outleapt Noel Valladares and looped a headed ball over the Salvadoran goalkeeper in the 55th. He took one touch after a feed from Donovan and placed a right-footed shot around Valladares for a 2-1 lead.

Donovan then matched De Leon, blasting a 24-meter free kick past Valladares and the United States looked secure. But De Leon added his second in the 78th to create some anxious moments, especially when a bounding ball hit Stuart Holden’s right arm.

Pavon, however, sent the shot well over the bar.

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras

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Tags: berth, Carlos Pavon, Casey, Charlie, conor casey, Costa Rica, de leon, El Salvador, final match, free kick, Goalkeeper, holden, Honduras, Julio de Leon, landon donovan, Mexico, noel, Noel Vallardares, oguchi onyewu, rebound, right arm, saturday night, South America, Stuart Holden, tim howard, U.S, United States, valladares, Washington, world cup field

Resurgent Mexico upends Honduras

September 10, 2009

MEXICO CITY – Cuauhtemoc Blanco scored the game’s only goal on a 75th minute penalty as Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 in a CONCACAF World Cup qualifier Wednesday at the Estadio Azteca.

The win was the fourth consecutive for El Tri, as it now holds sole possession of second place with 15 points. The United States (16 points) assumed the top spot thanks to a 1-0 victory over host Trinidad & Tobago earlier in the evening, while Honduras (13 points) dropped from first place to third. Costa Rica (12 points) remains in fourth despite a 1-0 loss at El Salvador.

The top three teams automatically qualify for next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa, while the fourth-place team faces a playoff against the fifth-place team from South America.

Mexico controlled large portions of the first half, creating many valid scoring opportunities.

In the 7th minute, Efrain Juarez had a good chance, but his attempt from a corner-kick sailed over the crossbar.
Jonny Magallon and Blanco each had shots go wide of the post in the 15th and 21st minutes, respectively, while a rocket from Andres Guardado glanced the crossbar in the 25th minute.

Miguel Sabah, the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup’s leading scorer, had a 32nd minute shot from inside the area saved by Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares goalkeeper.

Seven minutes later, the Morelia forward went wide, when he should have done better with a shot that had Valladares beat.

Honduras gave the impression that it was content to absorb the Mexican pressure in the second half, perhaps hoping to take the first visiting point from Mexico City in 2010 World Cup qualifying.

Despite that tactic, Emilio Izaguirre forced Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa into two outstanding saves in the 52nd and 53rd minutes.

The 2009 Gold Cup champion kept advancing, though, as a willing, but somewhat static, Honduran defense became increasingly vulnerable.

With 20 minutes remaining, the Catrachos paid the price for their conservative approach. Maynor Figueroa knocked over Mexico’s Giovani Dos Santos in the penalty area, leaving referee Courtney Campbell no choice but to point toward the spot.

Blanco, who plays for the Chicago Fire of the USA’s Major League Soccer, converted the penalty for his 37th goal for Mexico.

An injury-time caution issued to Amado Guevara means that the Honduran captain will miss his team’s next game against the USA on October 10. Mexico, which is 8-0-0 at home in qualifying, will host El Salvador the same day.

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Tags: amado guevara, catrachos, Chicago, concacaf gold cup, concacaf world cup, concacaf world cup qualifier, conservative approach, corner kick, Costa Rica, courtney campbell, cuauhtemoc blanco, cup champion, El Salvador, Emilio Izaguirre, estadio azteca, guillermo ochoa, Honduras, izaguirre, magallon, Mexico, mexico city, Morelia, Noel Valladares, Santos, sole possession, South Africa, South America, Tobago, United States, USA, valladares, world cup finals, world cup qualifier

Costly scores pair to lead Honduras over Costa Rica 4-0

August 13, 2009

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Two goals from Carlo Costly helped Honduras to a 4-0 victory over CONCACAF World Cup qualifying leader Costa Rica on Wednesday and bolstered its claim for a place next year in South Africa.

The Catrachos dominated the visitors from the opening whistle led by Ramon Nunez and Costly, twice disallowed goals in the opening 18 minutes before finally taking the lead.

Nunez and Costly appeared to combine for an opening oal in the sixth minute, but the striker was ruled offside. A second goal was disallowed in the 18th minute when a long distance effort by Mauricio Sabillon deflected off a Costa Rica defender and ended up in the back of the net, but goalkeeper Keilor Navas was fouled.

Navas came out of the goal mouth scramble holding his face and was eventually replaced by Ricardo Gonzalez in the 25th minute.

Honduras went ahead in the 30th minute when Costly scored his fourth goal of the qualifying phase after collecting a pass from Elvis Turcios at the top of the penalty area.

It double the advantage six minutes into the second half when Carlos Pavon, with his back to goal, chested down a searching pass, turned and alluded Costa Rica defender Jose Fernandez before and then buried a shot past Gonzalez.

Honduras continued their domination with a corner kick by Turcios hitting the cross bar in the in the 65th minute and a long distance effort by Julio Cesar Leon thumping off the crossbar in the 75th minute.

Leon again tested Gonzalez in the 84th minute when his blistering free kick from 30 yards forced the keeper into another acrobatic save, pushing the dipping strike just wide of goal.

Honduras added two goals in injury time, with second half substitute Melvin Valladares beating the offside trap, eluding a slide tackle from Fernandez and then slamming the ball past Gonzalez.

Seconds later, Costly added his second of the night, collecting a pass at the top of the penalty area and side footing the ball past Gonzalez to complete the scoring.

The visiting Ticos’ chances were few with their only solid effort of the first half – a long distance strike by Armando Alonso — appearing to beat goalkeeper Noel Valladares but skipping wide of the post.

Valladares then came up with a diving finger-tip effort to deny Cristian Bolanos, who collected a cross from Esteban Sirias in the 68th minute and struck a hard right-footed shot on goal.

The victory moved Honduras into the second place in the “hexagonal” standings with 10 points, within two points of Costa Rica and just ahead of the United States on goal difference. Its next match is September 5 when it hosts Trinidad and Tobago while Costa Rica will be home against Mexico in San Jose.

The match was the 50th meeting since the two first played each other in 1930 with the Ticos still leading the all-time series having won 19, lost 15 and drawing the 16 others.

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Tags: armando alonso, Carlos Pavon, catrachos, corner kick, Costa Rica, Cristian Bolanos, cross bar, crossbar, Esteban Sirias, free kick, goal mouth, Honduras, injury time, Jose, jose fernandez, julio cesar, Leon, Melvin Valladares, navas, Noel Valladares, oal, offside trap, Ramon Nunez, ricardo gonzalez, san pedro sula, san pedro sula honduras, six minutes, striker, valladares

Pavon lifts Honduras over Central American rival El Salvador 1-0

June 11, 2009

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras — A first-half strike by Honduras midfielder Carlos Pavon gave the Los Catrachos a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday night and leaving them in CONCACAF’s last guaranteed place for next year’s World Cup as the “hexagonal” reached its midpoint.

The win moved Honduras ahead of the visiting Cuscatlecos into third place with seven points from five matches, one ahead of Mexico and two better than El Salvador, which slumped to fifth.

Pavon, who plays with Mexican Primera League club Necaxa, pounced on a rebound in front of El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes in the 15th minute.

Honduras captain Amado Guevara took the initial shot from the top of the penalty area, forcing Montes into a save but giving up a rebound that fell to Pavon.

The match was very physical with U.S. referee Baldomero Toledo handing out seven yellow cards, four to Honduras and three to El Salvador, and five cautions coming in the opening half.

Most of El Salvador’s chances were limited to shots from distance and crosses from the penalty area which rarely tested Honduras keeper Noel Valladares or backline while Honduras enjoyed the majority of the possession.

Honduras began the second half with a lengthy possession spell, but El Salvador absorbed the pressure and a dangerous chance from Ramon Nunez, who broke into the penalty area and sent a shot just wide in the 57th minute.

In the 67th minute, Pavon nearly set up a second goal for Honduras. He darted into the penalty area and spun a hard shot in front of Montes, while onrushing midfielder Julio Cesar De Leon couldn’t get his foot to the ball in front of a wide open goal.

Guevara nearly had a chance to add an insurance goal in injury as he sprinted the length of the field but his shot from the top of the penalty are lofted well over the bar just seconds before the final whistle.

Ahead of the opening kick off Honduras’ Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda indicated that his side was taking a must-win approach to the match after their loss to the United States, and El Salvador’s upset of Mexico over the weekend.

El Salvador plays their next match in the qualifying round on August 12 when they travel to Trinidad and Tobago while Honduras faces Costa Rica at home in San Pedro Sula.

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Tags: amado guevara, backline, captain Amado Guevara, Carlos Pavon, Central American, club necaxa, CONCACAF Champions' Cup, Costa Rica, de leon, El Salvador, Goalkeeper, Honduras, insurance goal, julio cesar, Julio Cesar De Leon, Mexico, midfielder, midpoint, Miguel Montes, montes, Noel Valladares, open goal, pounced, Ramon Nunez, rebound, reinaldo rueda, san pedro sula, san pedro sula honduras, seven points, Toledo, trinidad and tobago, U.S., United States, valladares, whistle, yellow cards

Two by Furtado gives Costa Rica 2-0 victory over Honduras in World Cup qualifying

February 12, 2009

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Andy Furtado scored two second-half goals and lifted Costa Rica past Honduras 2-0 Wednesday night to share the early lead with the United States in the CONCACAF final round of World Cup qualifying.

The winner came four minutes into the second half from a free kick to the left of the Honduras penalty area after Costa Rica’s Celso Borges was fouled by Emil Martinez.

Veteran midfielder Walter Centano’s bending free kick into the penalty area was met by an onrushing Furtado, whose hard downward header bounced between the legs of Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

Furtado, who had three goals in the Ticos run to the final of the Central American Nations Cup in January, scored his second goal of the match in the 59th minute after a rush down the right by Armando Alonso.

Furtado was left unmarked at the top of the Honduras penalty area and calmly slotted the ball into the net past Valladares after a precision cross from Alonso.

With a commanding lead, the home side appeared content to defend and mount the occasional counterattack.

Honduras midfielder Amado Guevara narrowly missed with his effort in the 73rd, which had Costa Rica goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez beaten but missed left. Guevara was =stopped again by Gonzalez just 10 minutes from time.

Honduras’ David Suazo also saw his header with seven minutes remaining bounce just to the right of the net.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the first half with Costa Rica pressing the play in first 20 minutes, followed by a extended spell where Honduras took the initiative.

In the 15th minute, a bending corner kick by Centeno was misjudged by Valladares, but Furtado couldn’t convert.

Honduras then began to gain more possession and press forward.

An off-balance header by Suazo in the 20th minute lofted just over the top of the Costa Rica bar.

Then in the 32nd minute, midfielder Ivan Guerrero sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area which beat Gonzalez, but Suazo shot into the side of the net.

Furtado could have scored another goal just before halftime but was denied by a fingertip save from Valladares.

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