Honduras' Romell Quioto (#12) celebrates after scoring against visiting Canada in a World Cup qualifier on September 2, 2016, in San Pedro Sula. (Photo: Mexsport)
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – It wasn’t easy, but Honduras finally secured a place in its fourth CONCACAF Hexagonal after a scoreless draw at Mexico on Tuesday.
The Catrachos opened fourth-round qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup with two losses, responding with a four-game unbeaten run to edge Canada by a single point, 8-7.
Regardless of how it was accomplished, forward Romell Quioto is happy that his team remains in contention for a third straight trip to the finals.
“Everything doesn’t start well sometimes,” said the Olimpia star, who is Honduras’ top scorer in qualifying with two goals. “We started off losing. The results did not come for us, but now I think we are showing a new side and we hope to continue as such.”
The 25-year-old gave credit for the reversal to head coach Jorge Luis Pinto, mastermind of Costa Rica’s campaign to the Brazil 2014 quarterfinals.
“The ‘profe’ is a very demanding coach and that shows itself both on and off the field,” Quioto noted. “In training and matches one has to be organized in the tactical part. I think that has helped us enough.”
Honduras will kick off the final round of qualifying with a tricky November 11 encounter against Panama and then travel Trinidad and Tobago for November 15 meeting.
“I think they are two difficult opponents,” finished Quioto. “We are going to respect them, but I think here at home we are going to make our presence felt. We will try to make home field count and hopefully it’ll happen for us.
“We are ready to face any opponent. We come in showing it and we’re going step by step.”
All the way to Russia, perhaps.
