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Second-half goals from Honduras send Mexico to rare home defeat

CarloCostlyHonduras1-Mexico2013 (MexSport)

By DAN KARELL

Under the watchful eyes of Jose Manuel de la Torre, the fortress known as Estadio Azteca has lost its luster.

For the second time in 12 months, and first time since 2001 in CONCACAF World Cup qualifying, the Mexican National Team tasted defeat in their own backyard, falling to Honduras, 2-1, on a rainy and wet Friday night in Mexico City. Two goals in three minutes during the second half helped Los Catrachos leapfrog above El Tri in the Hexagonal standings, with Honduras sitting in third and Mexico dropping to fourth.

The defeat is doubly painful for El Tri supporters because of the way the side began the match. Using the same starting lineup from the 4-1 victory last month against the Ivory Coast, Mexico needed only six minutes to enter the scoresheet.

El Tri midfielder Giovani Dos Santos broke away from the Honduras defense and played a perfect square ball to his right to Oribe Peralta, who finished into an open goal. The goal was the first scored at Azteca in the calendar year during a World Cup qualifying match, and it brought a cathartic release of emotion from the supporters above.

Following the initial waves of attacks, Mexico stepped off the gas pedal a bit, which allowed Honduras to regain their composure. At the halftime break, Honduras manager Luis Fernando Suarez decided to replace Andy Najar with out-of-form New England Revolution forward Jerry Bengtson, and move which would prove dividends in the second stanza.

In the 64th minute of the match, Honduras forward Carlo Costly received the ball, spun, and shot a low strike that was parried by Mexico goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona. Unfortunately for Corona, his parry went straight to Bengtson, who timed his run to perfection and finished easily to level the scorelines.

Two minutes later, Costly ran onto a long ball and using a bit of strength and technique to head the bouncing ball into his path, powered past Mexican defender Diego Reyes and supplied a left-footed finish past Corona to give Los Catrachos a shock lead.

De la Torres brought in Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in the 69th minute to find another goal for El Tri, but the defensive work by Osman Chavez at the heart of the Honduras defensive line kept the hosts from finding the elusive game-tying goal this time.

With the defeat, Mexico have a record in the Hex of 1-5-1, and still no wins at Estadio Azteca.

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What do you think of this defeat? Shocked that Mexico would lose at home? Surprised that Chicharito didn’t start? Do you see this motivating the team when they arrive in Columbus.

Comments

  1. Dave, it’s true that there are social problems in Honduras but please do not exaggerate, living in warm weather in a country with some of the most beautiful beaches is not bad at all. But yes we do love soccer and love it when our team does well.

    Reply
  2. It’s good to hear some good news coming out of Honduras even if it is trivial. I saw on a Honduran newspaper website the reaction of fans in a restaurant when the goals were scored. Those poor folks need a break every now and then from the poverty and crime that plagues that country.

    Reply
  3. Do yourself a favor and watch the highlights on Univision.com. Crazy game.

    Costly’s goal was class. He was at full speed with a defender all over him and was still able to unleash a rocket just inside the far post.

    This result made me feel better about CR 3 USA 1.

    Reply
  4. Not that it meant much in the first place, but the loss by Mexico means our loss has essentially no affect on anything. We need one more win now from our 3 remaining games.

    Also, if we were to beat Mexico next week it could actually put them in danger of not qualifying. Actual danger. Awesome.

    Reply
    • Not really. Panama need to pick up points to pass them, even if Mexico don’ t get a point for the rest of the Hex. And if I’m not mistaken, Panama have @Honduras, @ Mexico, and the US remaining. I don’t see even 1 point there for Panama.

      And Mexico won’t have any pronlems with New Zealand.

      Reply
      • With this Mexico anything can happen. I think if Mexico doesn’t get the result in Columbus the coach will be fired.

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