Honduran media not impressed with World Cup Qualifier opening match

Junior Hoilett beat his marker down the left before crossing for Johnson, whose header went in after appearing to hit Larin on the line. "A great performance and a great result".

And they were boosted by the addition of Queens Park Rangers winger Junior Hoilett, who created the goal and who offers something Canada hasn't had almost enough of over the years - a dynamic attacker who can create for himself and his teammates.

"We had a lot of possibilities, the team was consistent and efficient in the last third", Osorio stated according to ESPN.

The hosts' goal came just seven minutes later.

It was quite the comeback into national team duty for Johnson, who was the 2013 Canadian male soccer player of the year, but who has had a tough time of late. It wasn't flawless, but I didn't feel like we were out of control.

Friday's result was crucial for Canada, which is ranked 102nd in the world, as it opened the penultimate round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 World Cup with a much-needed victory.

In the 2014 World Cup qualifying cycle, Canada started the fourth round with a win in Cuba before dropping points at home to Honduras with a scoreless draw-those points lost proved to have been the difference as Canada was later eliminated. Canada instead took an embarrassing 8-1 loss on the chin in San Pedro Sula that crushed the country's hopes of making the tournament for the first time since its only appearance in 1986.

Now, bear in mind that since Canada has played fewer competitive games over time than the USA and Mexico, the opportunities for this occurrence are not commonplace.

While the stunning rout at Estadio Olimpico got most of the attention, Canada did itself no favours four months earlier when Honduras secured a 0-0 draw in Toronto.

In any event, El Salvador's scrubs, scabs, reserves - whatever you want to call them - arrived back here Sunday to prepare for a match the Salvadoran federation believes it can win regardless of dozen regulars being out of the picture. "The game was very well balanced, but we worked hard to win".

Among the 12 countries left standing in the region that covers North and Central America and the Caribbean, Canada is in one of three four-team groups along with No. 24 Mexico, No. 94 El Salvador and No. 95 Honduras.

Valladares also denied Will Johnson with a tremendous finger-tip save off the post on a 30-yard free kick in the second half.

Borjan then spilled another Martinez shot from well out six minutes later before scrambling to gather up the rebound, and Canada would hold the fort from there to claim all three valuable points.

The Mexicans top Group A after a 3-0 win over El Salvador on Saturday. But that's why they play the games, as they say. "I am sure we are going to play against Mexico here".

Amusing thing about that BC Place Stadium roof being open in an attempt to freeze out the Hondurans.

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador-A potent offensive attack has rarely been one of Canada's strengths, but a young core of players who have shown a knack for finding the back of the net have fostered a belief within the group that it's starting to change. In Juan Carlos Osorio's debut as coach last Friday, El Tri cruised to a 3-0 victory over an El Salvador side severely weakened by a widespread players strike.