Honduras and El Salvador Battle to 2-2 Tie in Pre-Gold Cup Friendly

(Honduras' Edder Delgado (23) and Carlo Costly (13) "prepare" for a shot by El Salvador's Dennis Alas (14). Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loco Photography, Copyright 2011, All Rights Reserved)


By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2011 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (May 29, 2011) On two late goals by forwards Rodolfo Zelaya and Rudis Corrales, El Salvador tied Honduras 2-2 in a pre-Gold Cup friendly soccer match at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium.

Honduras led 2-0 going into the final minutes of the game, when Zelaya fired a shot pass Honduran goalkeeper Noel Valladares to cut “Los Catrachos” lead to one.

“Cuscatlecos” got another score a scant three minutes later when Corrales got the ball and chipped it past Valladares.

Before that, the match was basically all Honduras.

They got their first goal right in the 45th minute, when forward Carlo Costly found himself right in front of an unprotected goal and nudged it in for the first score of the game.

They came back six minutes into the second half on a shot by forward Jerry Bengtson.

In the first half, El Salvador managed only seven shots, with a single attempt being on the goal. Honduras on the other hand, had three shots on goal with 13 attempts.

During halftime, Salvadorian manager Ruben Israel must have lit a fire under his players, as the countered in the second half with two addition shots on goal on seven more shots.

They finished the match with two goals, three shots on goal, and 13 total shots.

Honduras finished with two goals, four shots on goal, and 17 total shots.

The game was relatively free of any hostility between the two teams; with only two cautions issued.

Honduras’ Johnny Leveron received a yellow card in the 4th minute, while El Salvador’s Luis Anaya received his in the 23rd minute.

El Salvador will kick off the 2011 Gold Cup against Mexico on June 5 at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

They are in Group A and will also face Cuba and Costa Rico.

Honduras will start the Gold Cup against Guatemala on June 5 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

They will also face Grenada and Jamaica in Group B action.