Honduras and Mexico threw the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying competition wide open with home wins over Costa Rica and the United States Wednesday. Honduras, helped by a Carlos Costly double, thrashed leader Costa Rica 4-0, while Mexico came from behind to beat the United States 2-1, the second win over its bitter rivals in less than a month. Only three points now separate the top four sides in the six-team group. Costa Rica stayed top with 12 points, followed by Honduras and the United States on 10 while Mexico, which beat an experimental US team 5-0 in the Gold Cup final last month, is back in the hunt with nine, all of them picked up at home. All teams have four matches to play. The top three qualify directly for the World Cup in South Africa next year while the fourth team will face a two-leg playoff against a South American side for another berth. El Salvador dropped four points behind Mexico after losing 1-0 in Trinidad and Tobago, who went level on points with their opponents but stayed bottom on goal difference. Cornell Glen scored the only goal in the seventh minute to dent the Central Americans' hopes of a first World Cup appearance since 1982. The United States stunned the 105,000 crowd in Mexico City when Charlie Davis curled the ball past Guillermo Ochoa in the ninth minute. It held the lead for only 11 minutes though, Israel Castro equalising with a 25m rocket. With only seven minutes to go, Efrain Juarez burst down the right into the area and the ball broke free to substitute Miguel Sabah, who rifled in the winner only four minutes after coming onto the field. “It was a tight game and a fair score but it is a tough loss – to have so many guys work so hard and then give up a late goal,” said US coach Bob Bradley. Honduras striker Costly scored the first and last goals for his side, who are attempting to reach their first World Cup since 1982. Melvin Valladares and 35-year-old Carlos Pavon were also on target.
