The Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano (pictured) in San Pedro Sula has been good to Honduras in its history against Mexico. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Although a 1-0 loss at Canada to open to the fourth round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup did not create panic in the Honduras camp, it has added to a sense urgency ahead of the Catrachos’ second match against visiting Mexico.
The sides will square off Tuesday at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, where the host has posted three wins and a draw in its last four WCQ home games against the seven-time CONCACAF Gold Cup champion. In fact, Mexico has not won in San Pedro Sula since 1965.
That type of success has Honduras midfielder Oscar Boniek Garcia believing that his team can get back on track quickly.
“We respect them a lot, but we are in our home,” said Garcia. “There is where we have to capitalize in order to get qualifying points and not put ourselves too far behind to start the competition.”
Against Canada last Friday, Honduras did not generate a sustained offense and has scored more than one goal only once in its last 10 outings.
“We have the obligation to go out and win the match,” Garcia continued. “We have to be better than them, have control of the ball, pressure them, do not let them play their football and be effective in front of goal.”
When asked about Mexico’s weaknesses, the Houston Dynamo standout emphasized that Honduras is only focused on its own performance and that the fans can play a role in the outcome
“I cannot say what Mexico’s vulnerable points are. We’ll see them during the match,” stressed the 31-year-old. “We are concentrated on our game.
“The fans are important in order to win and one of the reasons why that when Mexico comes here they do not win.”
