Alberth Elis (pictured) scored Honduras’ second goal in a World Cup Qualifying win over host Trinidad & Tobago on September 1, 2017, in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. (Photo: AFP Services)
COUVA, Trinidad & Tobago – Honduras (2W-2D-3L, 8 points) revived its CONCACAF qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 win over host Trinidad & Tobago (1-0-6, 3) on Friday night at Ato Boldon Stadium.
Both sides finished with 10 players. T&T’s Alvin Jones was shown a straight red card in the 58th minute for a dangerous tackle, while Emilio Izaguirre departed in the 65th minute after being issued his second caution.
The result provisionally lifted the Central American champion into fourth place in the Hexagonal table, even on points with the United States, which lost 2-0 to Costa Rica earlier in the evening, but holds the advantage on goal difference (+1 to -7).
A series of defensive miscues opened the door for Honduras to take a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute. T&T goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams couldn’t corral a ball that bounced in the box, allowing Alberth Elis to gain control. The 21-year-old forward regained possession after his pass took a deflection in the right side of the box. He then attempted a half shot/half pass that hit off Kevon Villaroel and landed at the feet of Alexander Lopez, whose right-footed effort from 18-yards out hit the back of the net.
Ten minutes later, it was 2-0 as Romell Quioto delivered a cross from the left side of the box that found an unmarked Houston Dynamo teammate Elis for a slotted, right-footed finish from 10-yards out.
Joevin Jones halved the deficit in the 67th minute, converting a penalty kick for his team-best fifth goal of the current qualifying cycle.
Both side return to action on September 5, with Honduras welcoming the U.S. to San Pedro Sula and T&T traveling to Panama.
