Added-time equaliser helps Honduras hold Qatar 1-1

For the second time in two matches a goal deep into extra time ruined Qatar’s chances of crucial group points in the Concacaf Gold Cup.Haiti scored against them seven minutes into added time to take all the points in Houston in their opening Group ‘B’ match. At the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, it was Honduras’ turn to ruin their party with a goal in the sixth minute of added time to level the score at 1-1.Mexico secured their spot in the knockout stage with a game to spare, after beating Haiti 3-1 in yesterday. Qatar now have to face Mexico in their final game knowing only a win will give them a chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds for a second competition running."It’s frustrating to see a goal in the last minute. We tried our best. We have a new squad with a new coach and we are improving,” said Qatar’s goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham.Talking about the next group match against Mexico, he said: "Of course Mexico is a tough team. We saw them during their last game. They were very good. We will do our best against them.”In 2021 Qatar won friends and admirers at the Gold Cup as the played their way to the semi-finals. In 2023, after a disappointing performance at their own World Cup they are rebuilding under Carlos Queiroz, with the foundation stones being a solid defence.Queiroz made three, changes to the team that lost 2-1 to Haiti, including dropping striker Mohamed Muntari for Tameem Alabdulla.Honduras coach Diego Vazquez made five changes from the team that was picked apart in their opening 4-0 loss to MexicoHonduras opened the brighter, pushing the Qatar defence back but unable to find the final ball that would unlock a compact back four and defensive midfield, well marshalled by Qatari captain Ahmed Abdoulla. Qatar took the lead in the eighth minute when Tameem Mansour rose to head home an excellent cross from Mostafa Meshaal.The Qataris were working themselves into the match with some neat passing and the Honduras back four looked increasingly stretched with the full backs playing high, but as the match progressed the Qataris sat deeper and deeper.Honduras’ overloaded midfield and attack but couldn’t find that decisiveness to open up Qatar in the danger areas. Honduras struggled to create clear chances but Jose Pinto went close in the 87th minute when he cut in from the left but his sweet right-foot shot was superbly saved by Barsham.Qatar’s defence looked to have held out until that sixth minute of added time. A ball into the box was knocked on by Rubillo Castillo to Honduras’ talisman Alberth Elis who poked the ball into the goal.The match stats showed Honduras had 14 shots on goal compared to Qatar’s four. Honduras had 64% of possession.Honduras will take on Haiti in a winner takes all match-up. The win, with all the goals coming in the second half, means Mexico lead the group with six points from two games, with Haiti three points behind.Mexico dominated the opening 45 minutes but were unable to find a way past Haiti keeper Alexandre Pierre.Pierre almost gifted El Tri an opener in the fourth minute when he fumbled a low cross but Edison Alvarez, with the goal at his mercy, struck the post.Haiti came close when a counter-attack down the right ended with Carlens Arcus finding an opening but his shot, from a promising position, flashed into the side-netting.Mexico wasted another opportunity three minutes before the break when a defensive slip-up left Henry Martin unmarked but his shot was poor, straight at Pierre. Whatever Mexico interim boss Jaime Lozano said at half-time delivered instant results, however, with Henry Martin finding the target just 41 seconds after the restart.A Ricardo Ade own goal made it 2-0, after the Haiti defender’s attempt to intercept a low cross from Jesus Gallardo ended up in his own net.But Haiti remained determined and gave themselves a lifeline with a 78th-minute header from Danley Jean Jacques from a Derrick Etienne Jr corner.With the Caribbean side pushing forward, Mexico exploited the space to settle the game -Uriel Antuna’s great low ball across the area turned in at the back post by a full-stretch Santiago Gimenez.