PAVON POWER CRUSHES SAD MEXICANS
With the Football Confederation (formerly CONCACAF) final qualifying group at the half-way stage, Mexico find themselves four points out of the final qualifying berth, with Costa Rica and USA rapidly disappearing out of sight.
Honduran striker Carlos Pavon smashed a hat-trick as Honduras stretched their lead over Mexico, who following their loss to Costa Rica on Saturday are going through a terrible run of form.
After England cracked four past them, Mexico have returned home to lose for the first time to Costa Rica no Saturday and then lost their sixth in a row on Wednesday.
The future of coach Enrique Meza looks dim after a record of four points from five games, along with a succession of friendly defeats.
The deadly Pavon linked up well with David Suarez and the pair tore the Mexican defence to shreds.
Indeed it was a surprise that it took until the 32nd minute for Honduras to open the scoring when a half-cleared corner was headed back into the area and Pavon was left unmarked to control it on his chest and rifle in a scorching volley.
Two minutes later and Suazo beat three defenders before being hauled down and Amada Guevara was unlucky to see his set-piece cannon back off the post.
Mexico were lucky to go into the break with the scoreline at just 1-0, but Pavon got his second just seven minutes into the second period through a header.
Pavon's hat-trick was completed in the 64th minute after Suazo was upended by Mexican keeper Jorge Campos in the box and the striker stepped up to confidently convert the resulting penalty.
Substitute Victor Ruiz scored a consolation goal for Mexico four minutes from the end, with a stunning free kick.
USA kept up their fine form in the competition with a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago.
Striker Ante Razov gave the home side the lead after just 73 seconds and when Earnie Stewart drove home a 25 yard effort in the 20th minute.
"We're certainly pleased with this result," said U.S. coach Bruce Arena. "Overall it wasn't perfect, but who can complain at
this point.
"This (result) is what it's all about, taking points, and right now we're almost there for the big dance next year."
Manchester City striker Paulo Wanchope (pictured) grabbed the winner as Costa Rica got their second win in five days, with a 2-1 victory over Jamaica.
Costa Rica took the lead in the fourth minute as he poked in a corner but the visitors replied just six minutes later through Onandi Lowe.
The scoring was completed in the first half, when Wanchope slotted home seven minutes from the interval.
