Cyle Larin (#21, red jersey) and Will Johnson (#8, red jersey) jump seconds before producing the goal that gave Canada a 1-0 win over visiting Honduras in World Cup Qualifying on November 13, 2015, in Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)
VANCOUVER -- Canada earned a 1-0 win over visiting Honduras in a tense fourth-round World Cup qualifier before 20,108 fans at BC Place on Friday night.
An unusual goal by Cyle Larin in the 38th minute -- the fourth of his international career -- proved to be the difference. The 20-year-old forward was lying face down in front of the net, when Junior Hoilett’s left-sided cross was headed downward by Will Johnson at the far post. The ball hit off the back of Larin, who never saw it, and crossed over the line.
The host nearly went ahead just a few minutes beforehand. Atiba Hutchinson showed poise and vision to switch the ball to the right side, where Julian de Guzman controlled and launched a fizzing strike that was pushed over the crossbar by goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
Johnson came close to a goal of his own on the hour mark only for Valladares to force the Portland Timbers star’s long-range free kick off the post.
Honduras pressed late, but Canada goalkeeper Milan Borjan preserved the shutout and the three points by palming Mario Martinez’s shot from distance.
Canada travels south for a Tuesday encounter at El Salvador, which fell 3-0 at Mexico in the Group A opener earlier in the evening. Honduras returns home to host the Mexicans that same day at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula.
