Honduras scores late to deny Qatar win in Gold Cup

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Saturday, July 1st 2023 05:53 AM

    Glendale, Arizona: Qatar's aspirations of gaining valuable group points in the Concacaf Gold Cup were dashed for the second time in as many games by a goal scored late in extra time.   In their first Group 'B' encounter, played in Houston, Haiti scored seven minutes into overtime to get a late victory.   Similarly, Honduras scored in the sixth minute of stoppage time to make the score 1-1 at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.   Only a victory over Mexico in their final group game will give Qatar a chance to go to the knockout stages for a second consecutive time.   Including replacing Mohamed Muntari with Tameem Alabdulla up top, Queiroz made three changes to the lineup that fell 2-1 to Haiti.   After being torn apart in a 4-0 loss to Mexico in their tournament opener, coach Diego Vazquez completely reshuffled his Honduras roster, making five changes to the starting lineup.   Honduras started off strong and pushed the Qatar defense back, but they were unable to find the last ball to break the Doha defense, In the eighth minute, Qatar took the lead when a diving Tameem Mansour headed in Mostafa Meshaal's pinpoint cross.   The Qataris were playing well and stretching the Honduras back four with their high fullbacks, but as the match went on, they sat deeper.   Qatar's defense held until the sixth minute of added time. Rubillo Castillo knocked a ball into the box to Honduran star Alberth Elis, who scored.