Mexico dropped 2 points today in a draw with Honduras (FoxDeportes.com)
El Tri and their fans were quite happy today as proceedings in their World Cup Qualifying match were going their way down in Honduras. Chicharito had a couple of goals and they looked to be in charge and heading to their first win of the Hex, but Honduras had other plans as they stormed back late on to earn a draw.
Mexico looked the better side early on as they came out bright and pushed into the Honduras penalty area. Javier Aquino Carmona produced El Tri's first chance of the match on 7 minutes, but sent his shot wide of the Honduran goal. Chicharito got into the act in the very next minute, as he attempted to get a header on target but saw it drift wide as well. As it turns out the Manchester United man was just getting his sights on the goal, but more on that later.
The home side jumped into the match after surviving the opening burst from Mexico. In the 10th minute Emilio Izaguirre dropped a hopeful shot in from outside of the 18, but the shot flew just over the bar. In the end it was harmless despite drawing a collective "ooh" from the crowd, but it was probably closer than it should have been. Seattle's Mario Martinez also got into the shooting spree for Honduras, but like Izaguirre had a hard time finding the actual target.
Mexico drew first blood though, and it came in minute 28. Their wide play caused problems for Honduras all day, and that's something the USA will have to keep in mind when they play at the Azteca next week. The Honduran defense watched helplessly as Andres Guardado floated a great cross into the six where Chicharito was waiting. He calmly headed the ball past the 'keeper to give Mexico the 0-1 lead.
Honduras hardly abandoned efforts for the first half though, instead they pushed forward after the goal aiming to get the equalizer. It looked to be a sure thing in the 42nd minute when Carlos Costly slipped the defense and got 1v1 with Ochoa, but Hector Moreno came in with a great sliding tackle right at the last minute, knocking the ball away and preserving Mexico's lead going into halftime.
Mexico hit the pitch in the second half looking to put the nail in Honduras' coffin, and it looked like they were going to do just that. They burned Honduras on a ball in from wide once again in the 54th minute. This time it was Carlos Salcido who sent in a free kick to Chicharito, who tapped the ball in from just outside the six to make it 0-2.
El Tri seemed to be on cruise control going into the last 15 minutes, but they were jolted awake in minute 77. Mario Martinez sent in a gorgeous service from a corner, and Costly rose, heading the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-2. You could sense Mexico tense up even through the television.
As it turns out, there was good reason to be nervous. Just one minute later a defender brought Costly down in the box for a clear penalty. New England's Jerry Bengston stood up to take the spot-kick, but his effort was well saved by Ochoa in goal. Unfortunately, the rebound went right back to Bengston, who tapped the ball into the open net to equalize the match at 2-2.
Neither side was able to really muster anything in the last 10 minutes, and the match finished 2-2. Honduras will gladly take the point, as they sit at the top of the Hex after two games with 4. The draw, coupled with the US win over Costa Rica, drops Mexico into 4th place heading into Tuesday's showdown at the Azteca. Keep in mind, the top three CONCACAF teams automatically qualify for Brazil 2014. The fourth team will play New Zealand (from the Oceania region) for one of the last spots in.
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