Honduras, Mexico book Rio 2016 tickets - MEN'S OLYMPIC FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
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| AFP |
Honduras secured their place at next summer's Men's Olympic Football Tournament Rio 2016 with a 2-0 win in the CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship semi-finals over USA at Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City and Mexico joined the Central American side after beating Canada by the same scoreline in the second semi-final.
Alberth Elis opened the scoring for Honduras in the 23rd minute after controlling a cross with his chest and striking into the bottom corner. Honduras led at half-time 1-0. USA struggled to do anything positive in their final third, and Honduras were only threatening on the counter attack. Frequent turnovers in midfield meant the game never really found a rhythm.
Elis scored his second goal in the 77th minute to seal the victory for Honduras. The No17 received the cross from the right side and finished from eight yards, firing past the diving Ethan Horvath and into the top corner. With the victory, Honduras have qualified for their third straight Olympic Games.
In the second semi-final of the day, Mexico beat Canada 2-0 with goals coming from Erick 'Cubo' Torres and Hirving Lozano. Torres put El Tri ahead early with a flashing header from Lozano's cross six minutes in, and Lozano found his way onto the scoresheet 12 minutes after the restart. Mexico's No17 capitalised off a Canadian defensive miscue and fired past Maxime Crepeau.
The CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship Final between Honduras and Mexico will be played on Tuesday 13 October, while USA and Canada will vie for third place and the chance to qualify for Rio 2016 via a play-off against Colombia, the second placed team from CONMEBOL.
Honduras and Mexico join already-qualified teams Brazil (hosts), Argentina, Fiji, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal and Germany.