Honduras wins international friendly

Miami:

Walter Martinez's 19th-minute goal stood up and Honduras held on to beat Guatemala 1-0 on Saturday in an international friendly.

Amado Guevara centered a pass to Martinez just outside the Guatemala penalty area.

Martinez dribbled inside the box and blasted a shot from 15 meters that eluded goalkeeper Paulo Cesar Motta.

Honduras, which dominated play during the first 20 minutes of the CONCACAF match, nearly broke through in the 10th minute.

Ramon Nunez had a clear shot from 35 yards, but the attempt caromed off the left post.

Guatemala's best attempt at a first-half came in the 33rd minute when goalkeeper Noel Valladares leaped and cleared Dwight Pezzarossi's header above the crossbar.

Freddy Thompson also had a shot on goal in the 15th minute, but it landed outside the netting. Despite the need to tie the match in the second half, Guatemala rarely amounted an offensive push.

Honduras also reverted to protecting its lead until two late runs from reserves Edgar Alvarez and Luis Ramirez in the final 8 minutes.

Alvarez had a clear run on goal, but his shot from the right wing went wide left in the 82nd minute. Ramirez also broke through and had an opportunity at increasing Honduras lead but his shot also missed left in the 89th minute.

Honduras and Guatemala willo Montano, Jorge Guagua, Giovanni Espinoza, Oscar Bagui, Segundo Castillo, Patricio Urrutia (Jairo Campos, 45), Edison Mendez, Walter Ayovi, Ebelio Ordonez (Ivan Kaviedes, 65) and Cristian Benitez (Felipe Caicedo, 75).

Referee: Heber Lopes (Brazil).