|
GUATEMALA CITY - Cecilio Waterman scored his fourth goal of the tournament and Panama beat Honduras 2-0 on Wednesday, earning a berth in Under-20 World Cup for the fourth time in five tries and a place in the semifinals of the CONCACAF championship.
Jose Alvarez scored on a deflected shot for "Los Canaleros" in the 51st minute and Waterman added his clincher in the 85th. It was the first time in five matches, including qualifying, that Honduras - which had to play without regulars Alexander Lopez and Danilo Tobias due to disciplinary suspensions -- was held without a goal.
Panama next will face Mexico, which beat Canada 3-0 in its semifinal on Tuesday and has outscored its opponents 11-0 in three games.
Alvarez ran on to a high ball looped down the left side. He was able to dribble into the penalty area, turned inside around Honduran defender Byran Castro and managed a right-footed shot that deflected off the lunging leg of Johny Rivera.
The ball arced over the head of goalkeeper Marlon Licona and bounced once in the behind him before settling in the net.
Waterman added the insurance with five minutes remaining, countering after Honduras was frustrated on several chances. Waterman settled a cross-field ball from Aglish Dixon with his chest at the 18, and finished with a finish into the side netting.
Panama had the better of play and chances throughout the first half, starting with Jairo Jimenez's corner kick in the fourth minute that Lincona attempted to punch away, but instead knocked it back over his own net.
Lincona was forced to repeat the act several times, punching away two chances from distance by Eric Davis in the 19th, 20th and 65th minutes and another by Jimenez in the 31st.
After Alvarez's goal, Panama appeared content to defend, allowing Honduras to repeatedly test keeper Kevin Melgar.
"Los Catrachos" had three chances seconds apart in the 74th, with Antony Lozano and Gustavo Carias both having shots blocked before Eddie Hernandez sent a final one high from close range.
Honduras had its best chance to equalize in the 78th when Castro was able to get a foot to a corner by Nestor Martinez, but Ever Alvarado cleared it off the line standing at the left post.
