© Reuters Limited 2001

By Valentino Singh

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, June 16, (Reuters) - Honduras scored an impressive 4-2 victory over Trinidad and Tobago 4-2 in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier on Saturday. The win was Honduras' first in the final round of the tournament, and moved them up to third place in the six-team group behind the United States and Costa Rica. The defeat left the Soca Warriors rooted to the bottom of the standings. The U.S., who were held to a goalless draw by Jamaica in Kingston, have 10 points while Costa Rica moved into second position on seven points following a shock 2-1 win over Mexico at the Atzeca Stadium.

Honduras and Jamaica are next on five points, ahead of Mexico (four points) and Trinidad and Tobago (one point). Honduras dominated the first half and took the lead in the 13th minute through skipper Carlos Pavon who converted a penalty after David Sauzo was bundled over in the penalty area by Denis Lawrence.

The nippy Suazo troubled the TT defence all afternoon and played a mjor role in the second goal, racing up the right flank to thread the ball to Danilo Turcious, whose right-foot shot from just inside the box gave TT goalkeeper Clayton Ince no chance after 20 minutes. The visitors then sat back and defended solidly to ensure that the lead was maintained at the interval.

With their two-goal cushion, Honduras opted to play on the counter-attack in the second half as the Soca Warriors went in search of a goal to revive their hopes. The ploy paid off when substitute Rony Morales benefitted from the space left open at the back of the TT defence to give Honduras a three-goal cushion in the 54th minute.

Trinidad and Tobago got on the scoresheet two minutes later when substitute Russell Latapy capitalised on some poor defending to give the 6,000 home fans something to cheer about. However, Honduras held firm and extended their lead through an 86th-minute penalty from Amado Gueverra before Stern John pulled one back for the home side in the 90th minute. Both teams play their next qualifiers on Wednesday, when Trinidad and Tobago play the United States in Foxboro, Massachusetts while Honduras return home to take on a beleaguered Mexico.