Jhow Benavidez and Kevin Alvarez delivered stunning free kicks for Honduras as they toppled Uzbekistan 4-3 in their Under-20 World Cup fixture in Christchurch today.
Benavidez opened the scoring in the fourth minute with his well-taken strike from the edge of the box, while Alvarez got in on the act shortly after halftime. In the interim, senior international Bryan Rochez, who is on the books of MLS club Orlando City, also scored.
Honduras will face a stern test in Group F when they meet Germany, who hammered Fiji 8-1 at the same venue earlier in the day, but they proved to be a slick outfit with a nice passing game.
Uzbekistan were in the fight throughout the match and Dostonbek Khamdamov, who represented his country at the Under-17 World Cup in the UAE in 2013, scored in the first spell before Eldor Shomurodov sent the game towards a thrilling finish after he netted in the 79th minute.
There was no equaliser for Uzbekistan and Rochez added his second in stoppage time, which killed the game off, but Zabikhillo Urinboev did pull another goal back with one of the final touches of the match.
- by Daniel Richardson
Honduras 4 (Jhow Benavidez 4, Bryan Rochez 20, 90+2 Kevin Alvarez 49) Uzbekistan 3 (Dostonbek Khamdamov 31, Eldor Shomurodov 79, Zabikhillo Urinboev 90+6) Halftime: 2-1
