Boniek García and Honduras took one step closer to reaching the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying on Friday afternoon with a 2-1 victory over Canada in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
Canada jumped out to the lead in the first half as Manjrekar James rose high in the box to reach a corner kick and head in the goal in the 35th minute, but Honduras roared back. Mario Martinez recovered a partially cleared corner kick and took a left-footed shot through traffic to equalize during first half stoppage time, then Romell Quioto finished off a low cross in the 51st minute to give Los Catrachos the lead.
García subbed into the match in the second half and immediately provided an extra spark for the home team, playing a give-and-go into the box and nearly chipping the Canadian goalkeeper, but his effort dropped right on the crossbar. The Houston Dynamo midfielder has appeared in all five qualifiers for Honduras in this qualifying cycle, scoring one goal.
The teams entered the match level on points in the group, but the win gives Honduras the edge leading into the final round of matches on Tuesday. Honduras (2-1-2, 7 points) travels to Mexico City to face group leaders Mexico, who have already secured a spot in the final hexagonal round of qualifying. A win or draw would secure their passage to the next round, or a Canada draw or loss against El Salvador.
