Argentina edge past Honduras in Abuja

Sergio Araujo scored the only goal for Argentina in the 58th minute, when he cionnected home a pass in the box from Daniel Vilallva to beat Harold Gonsseca in goal for Honduras. The first half ended 0-0 as both sides played out their lungs, with Argentina enjoying the upper hand, playing five corner kicks as […]

Sergio Araujo scored the only goal for Argentina in the 58th minute, when he cionnected home a pass in the box from Daniel Vilallva to beat Harold Gonsseca in goal for Honduras.

The first half ended 0-0 as both sides played out their lungs, with Argentina enjoying the upper hand, playing five corner kicks as gainst Honduras none in the half.

But as the first half progressed, Honduras began to haul themselves into the game with Nestor Martinez and Oscar Padilla both going close to scoring and causing serious problems in the Argentina rearguard.

The best chance of the first period fell to Martinez who plays for Tegucigalpa giants Olimpia, as he slammed his curling free kick off the junction of post and crossbar midway through.

With the rains that started late in the first half coming down heavily, Argentina came into the second period to dominate possession, as  Honduras chase their South American opponents, except in the 57th and 82nd minue when Honduras’ Wilmer Fuentes and Nestor Martinez wasted scoring opportunities, hitting the side net from close range.

Argentina looked a far better side in the second half, though, and Boca Juniors prodigy Sergio Araujo hit the only goal in the 58th minute.

The young gun received the ball well after some good approach work from Adrian Cirigliano and Sebastian Gonzalez, and pulled the goal deftly inside the far post. Araujo, perhaps on his way to becoming one of the shining stars of the competition, was withdrawn by coach Jose Luis Brown on 7o minutes as the match deteriorated due to a massive rainfall that soaked the pitch and slowed the ball movement to a crawl.

Argentina will meet Germany in their next match whil Hondurans will face host Nigerians in their next tie that same day.

In a post match conference, Argentina head coach Jose Brown said he was happy pocking the three point at stake, which he said would contribute greatly to his ambition of reaching the final of the soccer fiesta.

He blamed the heavy rainfall to the unimpressive showing of his side.

On his part Coach Eugenio Umanzo of Honduras who also accused heavy rains for his players’ poor performance in the duel, said he they are going to plan better for the second game against Nigeria.