UNITED STATES TAKES BIG STEP WORLD CUP TOWARD WITH WIN
SANDY, Utah — Jozy Altidore scored a goal in his fourth consecutive international match, enough for the United States to edge Honduras 1-0 in a World Cup qualifying game Tuesday night.
Before 20,250 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, the Americans remained atop the six-team CONCACAF group. The United States (4-11) won three straight games this month, all since a 0-0 draw at Mexico gave it a boost toward the top.
It has also shut out its last two opponents, Panama and Honduras.
Honduras (2-3-1) was the last team to win at the United States in a World Cup qualifying match, back in 2001. The Americans have won or drawn 25 straight at home since then.
The visitors made it difficult on the Americans for much of the game by slowing the pace before Altidore broke through.
After several second-half near misses, the U.S. got its goal in the 73rd minute. Altidore took a cross from Fabian Johnson from near the end line and put it past goalkeeper Noel Valladares across the goalmouth inside the right post.
It was Altidore’s ninth goal in a qualifier as he finally develops into the scoring threat the United States has hoped for.
Both teams played physical soccer in the first half, leading to an emphasis on defense and a limited number of scoring chances on either side of the field. Just before the first period ended, though, Tim Howard was forced to make a difficult save when Andy Najar launched a running right footer from the right side of the box. Howard met the ball in the center of the box and deflected it outside the right post.
Eddie Johnson had a chance in the 17th minute when he latched onto a cross from Fabian Johnson. His left-footed shot from the center of the box was knocked away by Valladares.
When the U.S. stepped up the offensive pressure early in the second half, it put Honduras on its heels. Altidore had the finishing touch.
He even appeared to score earlier in the half. Moments after Graham Zusi sent a free kick into a crowd of players just outside the 6-yard box in the 56th minute, only to see Brad Evans’ header go right into Valladares’ gloves, Altidore got behind the defense. Clint Dempsey sent a through ball ahead to Altidore, who was ruled offside and his score was negated.
ASIAN QUALIFYING
SYDNEY — Having everything to play for on Tuesday, Australia, Iran and South Korea all secured berths at the 2014 World Cup on a dramatic final day of Asian qualifying, joining Japan in the field.
Australia beat Iraq 1-0, waiting until the 83rd minute before Josh Kennedy headed home the winner that secured second spot in Group B.
Iran booked its place with a disciplined counter-attacking game that produced a 1-0 win at South Korea. While Iran finished top of Group A, South Korea only secured second place by virtue of goal difference after finishing level on points with Uzbekistan, which won 5-1 at home against Qatar.
Uzbekistan scored all five goals in the second half in a storming finish that threatened to tip South Korea out of second spot. But the Uzbeks ran out of time to further boost their goal difference and finished third. They will now go into a playoff against Jordan, which beat Oman 1-0.