TEGUCIGALPA (Honduras), Oct 12 — Honduras moved to the brink of securing their place in next year’s World Cup finals after beating Costa Rica 1-0 in a CONCACAF qualifier yesterday.

Honduras striker Jerry Bengtson scored the only goal of the match midway through the second half to clinch the victory at the Olympic Stadium in San Pedro Sula and setting off wild celebrations in the country.

The streets of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula were filled with people celebrating and waving the blue and white flag of Honduras.

“I want to congratulate the boys of the national team for their win today,” Honduras President Porfirio Lobo told reporters.

“This shows that Hondurans can do it when we decide to do it. We are going to Brazil! Long live Honduras!”

The result lifted Honduras six points clear of Mexico and Panama in the battle for CONCACAF’s third and final automatic spot. The United States (19) and Costa Rica (15) occupy the first two places and have already qualified for Brazil.

Honduras are already assured of at least a playoff spot, against the Oceania winners New Zealand, and could clinch their berth in Brazil later on Friday if Mexico and Panama draw their match at the Azteca Stadium.

If either Mexico or Panama wins, Honduras would only need a point from their final match against Jamaica on Tuesday to reach the finals for the third time and the second in a row.

Jamaica are yet to win a match in the six-nation final round of qualifying and have no chance of qualifying after losing 2-0 to the US in Kansas City yesterday. — AFP