SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Host Honduras (2-1-0, 7 points) remained unbeaten after three games in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, scoring twice in the second half to defeat Trinidad & Tobago (0-0-3, 0 points) on Thursday.
The match completed a Group A tripleheader at the Estadio Francisco Morazan, where Cuba (0-2-1, 2 points) and Jamaica (1-1-1, 4 points) played to a 1-1 draw in the opener, followed by first-place United States (3-0-0, 9 points) triumphing 4-1 over Guatemala (1-0-2, 3 points).
Dylan Andrade produced the game’s first goal in the 53rd minute. After Trinidad had difficulty clearing the ball from its own box, the 16-year-old team captain – without a hint of hesitation -- hammered a right-foot effort from near the upper-right corner of penalty area off the left hand of goalkeeper Levi Fernandez and into the back of the net.
Three minutes later, the Catrachos almost doubled their advantage, when – from the same spot Andrade netted his goal – Darixon Vuelto tried to curl a left-footer inside the far post, only to see it sail just wide.
Chaz Burnett’s bid to equalize for Trinidad in the 64th minute came up short as his header from nine yards glided barely over the crossbar.
The Soca Warriors, however, would not give up the fight. In the 87th minute, Noah Powder deposited a 40-yard free kick deep into the Honduran box. Goalkeeper Michael Perello punched the ball away, but it fell to Jeankeon Alexander. The San Juan Jabloteh forward controlled with his chest, before firing over the frame from 12-yards out.
With the Caribbean side continuing to push forward, Honduras secured an insurance goal. A swift counterattack ended with Wisdom Quaye firing home from 20-yards out off Fernandez’s right hand.
Honduras returns to action on Sunday, facing the United States in a top-of-the-table clash. The Americans can secure the Group A title, a place in the final and a spot in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup with a victory. Trinidad will meet Caribbean rival Jamaica that same day.
Results
Honduras 2 v T&T 0
Andrade 53
Quaye 90
Teams
Honduras: - 12.Michael Parello; 2.Victor Matamoros, 4.Allan Rivera (Yellow 50), 5.Dylan Andrade, 19.Gabriel Ortiz; 6.Jorge Alvarez (11.Oslin Sevilla 92nd), 8.Erick Arias, 15.Jose Galeano, 16.Jeancarlo Vargas (18.Kevin Castro 85th); 9.Darixon Vuelto (13.Wisdom Quaye 78th), 7.Foslyn Grant.
Coach: - Jose Valladares.
Trinidad & Tobago: - 1.Levi Fernandez; 3.Keston Julien, 4.Tekay Hoyce, 6.Kareem Riley (capt), 7.Shakeem Patrick (Yellow 13); 8.Joshua Burnett (17.Jeankeon Alexander 75th - Yellow 94), 10.Morgan Bruce, 12.Kierron Mason, 14.Isaiah Hudson (16.Shobal Celestin 78th), 19.Noah Powder; 9.Chaz Burnett (13.Kishon Hackshaw 65th).
Coach: - Shawn Cooper.
Video: - Honduras vs Trinidad & Tobago Highlights