Panama's Adalberto Carrasquilla (#8) tries to control the ball in a Central American U-20 qualifying match against Nicaragua on July 8, 2016, Panama City, Panama.
PANAMA CITY, Panama – Central American qualifying for the 2017 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship opened Friday with four of the five participating teams seeing action at the Estadio Maracana.
Honduras rallied from a two-goal deficit to force a 2-2 draw with Guatemala, while host Panama was impressive in a 6-0 win over Nicaragua as Leandro Avila struck for three goals.
CONCACAF.com takes a look at the action:
Honduras comeback … In the tournament opener, Guatemala appeared to be on its way to a routine victory, taking a 2-0 lead over Honduras thanks to goals by Brolin Valdizon (6’) and Esteban Garcia (42’). The Catrachos, however, responded magnificently. Foslyn Grant, a veteran of the 2016 FIFA U-17 World Cup, halved the deficit in first-half stoppage time. Then, less than a minute after the break, Sendel Cruz netted the equalizer. Honduras’ Denil Maldonado was ejected in the 86th minute for a second caution.
Avila hat-trick powers Panama … After Cesar Blackman’s 36th minute goal gave Panama a 1-0 lead over Nicaragua heading into half-time, Leandro Avila (48’, 53’, 56’) exploded for three straight goals to start the second half. Isidoro Hinestroza (67’, 89’) netted a brace to complete the scoreline.
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2016 UNCAF UNDER-20 QUALIFYING
Estadio Maracana – El Chorrillo, Panama City, Panama
July 8–16, 2016
July 8, 2016
Guatemala 2, Honduras 2
Brolin Valdizon 6’; Esteban Garcia 42’ / Foslyn Grant 45’+1; Sendel Cruz 46’
Panama 6, Nicaragua 0
Cesar Blackman 36’; Leandro Avila 48’, 53’, 56’; Isidoro Hinestroza 67’, 89’
Panama 1-1-0-0-6-0-3
Guatemala 1-0-1-0-2-2-1
Honduras 1-0-1-0-2-2-1
El Salvador 0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Nicaragua 1-0-0-1-0-6-0
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July 10, 2016: Honduras v El Salvador; Panama v Guatemala
July 12, 2016: Nicaragua v Honduras; Guatemala v El Salvador
July 14, 2016: El Salvador v Nicaragua; Panama v Honduras
July 16, 2016: Nicaragua v Guatemala; Panama v El Salvador
