Published: Thursday October 15, 2009 MYT 10:29:00 AM
Updated: Thursday October 15, 2009 MYT 11:03:20 AM
Honduras reaches World Cup for 1st time since 1982
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) - Honduras qualified for its first World Cup in 27 years with a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Wednesday.
Honduras' only previous World Cup appearance was in 1982 at Spain.
Battling for the last automatic berth in CONCACAF, Honduras and Costa Rica, which drew 2-2 with the United States, finished with 16 points each but Honduras advanced on superior goal difference.
Carlos Pavon scored the winner in the 64th minute.
Costa Rica was winning 2-1 in the closing seconds in the U.S. but a late goal by Jonathan Bornstein gave the Americans the draw and sent Costa Rica to playoffs next month against Uruguay, the fifth-placed team in South America.
Costa Rica will host the first playoff leg on Nov. 14 then travel to Uruguay four days later.
The United States and Mexico had already claimed the region's first two automatic berths.
Pavon's winner came as he met a cross from David Suazo, striking a firm header to the delight of Honduras' 5,000 fans in Cuscatlan Stadium.
Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda - a Colombian - was sent to the stands in the 35th minute for criticizing a foul called against one of his players during a stale first half.
Suazo had the clearest opportunities for Honduras in the opening period, his best effort forcing a block from El Salvador goalkeeper Miguel Montes.
El Salvador started the second half quickly and Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares did well to save defender Alexander Escobar's long-range effort. Honduras wrestled back the initiative, and Pavon almost had another goal after just failing to collect a Montes parry from Suazo's shot.
El Salvador had already lost all chance of reaching the World Cup finals after losing 4-1 to Mexico on Saturday. The future of El Salvador's Mexican coach Carlos De los Cobos will be reviewed by authorities later this week. They have said they want him to stay, but De los Cobos has expressed interest in returning home.
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