- February, 11 2009 -
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SAN JOSE, Costa Rica - Andy Furtado scored two second-half goals and lifted Costa Rica past Honduras 2-0 Wednesday night to share the early lead with the United States in the CONCACAF final round of World Cup qualifying.
The winner came four minutes into the second half from a free kick to the left of the Honduras penalty area after Costa Rica's Celso Borges was fouled by Emil Martinez.
Veteran midfielder Walter Centano's bending free kick into the penalty area was met by an onrushing Furtado, whose hard downward header bounced between the legs of Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares.
Furtado, who had three goals in the Ticos run to the final of the Central American Nations Cup in January, scored his second goal of the match in the 59th minute after a rush down the right by Armando Alonso.
Furtado was left unmarked at the top of the Honduras penalty area and calmly slotted the ball into the net past Valladares after a precision cross from Alonso.
With a commanding lead, the home side appeared content to defend and mount the occasional counterattack.
Honduras midfielder Amado Guevara narrowly missed with his effort in the 73rd, which had Costa Rica goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez beaten but missed left. Guevara was =stopped again by Gonzalez just 10 minutes from time.
Honduras' David Suazo also saw his header with seven minutes remaining bounce just to the right of the net.
Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the first half with Costa Rica pressing the play in first 20 minutes, followed by a extended spell where Honduras took the initiative.
In the 15th minute, a bending corner kick by Centeno was misjudged by Valladares, but Furtado couldn't convert.
Honduras then began to gain more possession and press forward.
An off-balance header by Suazo in the 20th minute lofted just over the top of the Costa Rica bar.
Then in the 32nd minute, midfielder Ivan Guerrero sent a dangerous cross into the penalty area which beat Gonzalez, but Suazo shot into the side of the net.
Furtado could have scored another goal just before halftime but was denied by a fingertip save from Valladares.
