NEW JERSEY, United States, CMC- Honduras ruined Haiti’s return to the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament by winning their Group B opener two-nil at the Red Bull Arena on Monday night.
Goals in the first and second halves by Ronny Martinez and Marvin Chavez ensured victory as Honduras stormed to top of the group with full points.
Honduras opened the scoring in the fourth minute thanks to Martinez’s thumping strike after Haiti lost possession in their defensive half and Mario Martinez set up his namesake.
Honduras wrapped up victory in the 78th minute when Brayan Beckeles passed to Chavez, who slid the ball under Haiti goalkeeper Frandy Montrevil.
While Haiti had the edge in possession and took 17 shots to six, they were unable to break open Honduras’ defence.
The Haitians have not won since December 2012, having lost six of their seven matches this year.
They missed out on the 2011 Gold Cup, as they won just once in three qualification games held less than a year after the 2010 earthquake which ravaged the tiny Caribbean nation.
Monday night’s win handed Honduras three points and top spot in Group B with El Salvador and Trinidad and Tobago equal on one point, while Haiti were left bottom of the standings.
