Costa Rica 1 - Honduras 0

Honduras made the trek down south to San Jose to take on Costa Rica.  The two creative minds were out in full force today, with Christian Bolaños directing the give-and-go game for Costa Rica and Boniek Garcia commanding the midfield for Honduras with aplomb.  The host Ticos started out more strongly, but it would be Honduras who nearly scored first.  A nice slalom move on the right side led to a slotted pass through the box, but even the long leg of Jerry Bengston (pictured, blue) could not quite redirect the ball into the goal for the Catrachos.  It would be Bolaños whose playmaking led to a free kick close to the half circle for the Ticos.  The resulting free kick was not handled well off a bounce by Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares, and Roy Miller (pictured, red #19) nodded the rebound softly over Valladares and into the goal for his first international tally.  The goal brought Costa Rica back to life, and suddenly the hosts regained control of the match with improved play.

The second half featured less action, but it is not to be said that Honduras went away softly into the night.  The best chance of the half came when an odd deflection fell to Jerry Palacios in the Costa Rican penalty area, but Palacios fired just over the crossbar.  Honduras could have appeals for a red card to Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas for an attempted punch to the head of a Carlo Costly, who had crashed needlessly into his defender Cristian Gamboa.  Navas stayed on the pitch and recorded a clean sheet.  Costa Rica win 1-0.

Goals
Costa Rica
Roy Miller 25

Match Reports:
http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Costa-Rica-Honduras-gente-grande_0_1346465431.html
http://www.elguardian.cr/es/Deportes/Costa_Rica_le_gana_a_Honduras/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPyQE2cqCl0