Jamaica vs. Honduras: Final score 2-2, Honduras secures final automatic qualifying spot
Honduras just needed to keep from losing by more than two goals, and they did even better than that.
The match got off to a rather crazy start when Costly scored in the 1st minute. Jerry Bengtson picked up the primary assist, hitting a corner kick back across the goal to Costly, who side-footed in the volley.
But just a minute later, Jamaica -- who had already been eliminated from World Cup contention -- equalized on an own goal. Colorado Rapids rookie Deshorn Brown created the situation, first sending in a cross that caused the ball to bounce around and then hitting a deflection back into the box and off a Honduras defender.
Before halftime, though, Honduras stormed back ahead. Figueroa pounded a free kick from about 25 yards into the wall and it deflected past the goalkeeper and into the net.
At that point, Honduras had essentially sealed its position, essentially needing to allow three unanswered goals to be in any real danger. Still Jamaica fought, finally earning a penalty after a ball deflected off the hand of Luis Miguel Garrido.
This is the second straight World Cup that Honduras has qualified for, the first time they’ve ever qualified in consecutive tournaments.
