Erick Torres scored in the 65th minute to help Mexico beat 10-man Honduras 2-1 on Wednesday night and wrap up Group B in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.
Defending Olympic champions Mexico are to face Group A runner-up Canada in a semi-final match tomorrow in Sandy, Utah, while Honduras are to meet the Group A champions the US. The semifinal winners will qualify for the Rio Olympics.
“Without a doubt, we’ve been improving since the very first game,” Torres said through a translator. “We still have a lot to improve and all the mistakes we’ve made, we’re planning not to repeat them again. And everything we’ve done well? Continue to do that to be able to win. We have a game against Canada now. We’re going to go out and win, no matter what.”
Photo: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY
Raul Lopez also scored for Mexico.
The complexion of the game changed in the second minute, when Allans Vargas received a red card for appearing to hit a player in the face on a play and was sent off. Lopez lined a shot past goalkeeper Harold Fonseca.
Honduras tied it in the 59th minute on a goal from Alberth Elis.
However, Mexico soon responded, with Torres knocking a right-footed shot past Fonseca. Mexico outshot Honduras by an 8-2 margin.
“We executed pretty well,” Mexico coach Raul Gutierrez said through a translator. “We have to continue to evolve all phases.”
As far as playing their next opponent, Gutierrez said Canada “deserves all of our respect.”
COSTA RICA-HAITI
AP, COMMERCE CITY, Colorado
Dylan Flores scored in the 82nd minute and Costa Rica tied Haiti 1-1 on Wednesday night in their Group B finale in the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament.
Costa Rica and Haiti both lost to Honduras and Mexico in the opening games in Carson, California.
Flores lined a shot from just outside the penalty box that goaltender Luis Odelus had no chance of stopping.
Pierre Paulson gave Haiti the lead in the 51st minute on a free-kick from in close. He lined the ball into the left corner of the goal.
Haiti had a chance to win in injury time on a corner-kick, but could not knock in a loose ball in the box.
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