MEXICO CITY: Panama’s surprise 2-0 victory over Honduras on Tuesday night took them to the top of the table in CONCACAF qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals while big guns Mexico and the United States ended their clash goalless.
Costa Rica picked up their first win of the 10-game campaign with a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in San Jose.
After three games, Panama, who have never qualified for a World Cup finals, lead on five points followed by Costa Rica, the U.S, and Honduras all on four points while winless Mexico have three points from their three draws.
A draw with Mexico and victory over the United States in home games, had given Honduras hopes of taking strong control of the group at supposed minnows Panama, but Julio Dely Valdes’ determined team had other ideas.
A close range effort from Luis Tejada put Panama ahead in just the second minute of the game but Honduras roared back, Carlos Costly hitting the woodwork with a header in the 20thh minute.
Panama, who mix a high-speed attacking game with a physical approach, made sure of the three points when striker Blas Perez put the game beyond Honduras in the 75th minute, racing on to a through ball from substitute Nelson Barahona and firing home.
Reuters
