Played
March 25, 2012 7:00 PM EDT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: E. Bonilla
Attendance: 16184
March 25, 2012 7:00 PM EDT
The Home Depot Center — Carson, California
Referee: E. Bonilla
Attendance: 16184
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Mexico U23 3-0 Honduras U23: Alan Pulido bags a hat trick to send Mexico through to the semifinals
Mexico booked its place in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament with a comfortable win over Honduras. Alan Pulido led the way with a hat trick.
By Nick Rosano
Stephen Dunn
Mexico – sporting an unchanged lineup from its 7-1 victory over Trinidad and Tobago – defeated Honduras 3-0 to secure its place in the semifinals of Olympic qualifying and set up a possible showdown with the United States for a spot in the Olympics.
Alan Pulido led the way, scoring all three goals, and Javier Aquino tallied two assists in the process. Though Honduras started brightly, it ultimately found itself well over-matched by a superior Mexico side.
Mexico head coach Luis Fernando Tena was happy with the win in his post-match press conference, but maintained focus on his team's ultimate goal.
"The team played well," he said. "After the first goal we were clear about winning. We have players with a lot of quality, but none of this will be worth it if we don't win the semifinal on March 31."
Honduras stated the game on the front foot, spending much of the first 10 minutes in Mexico's half. However, the Mexican defense held firm and in the 12th minute, El Tri relieved the early pressure with a goal.
On the counterattack, Aquino dished the ball to Pulido, and although it wasn't the best of passes, the Tigres man was able to control, find some space and finish low and hard into the far corner.
Mexico looked much more confident after the goal and moved the ball well. Marco Fabian and Miguel Ponce combined effectively, while the back line did an admirable job absorbing pressure.
Though Honduras did see some of the ball, it was unable to forge any clear-cut chances against a resolute Mexican defense. A Honduran shot in the 36th minute was deflected, causing a some problems for Mexico goalkeeper Liborio Sanchez, who ended up making the save.
Mexico would double its advantage three minutes later through Pulido, though. After some fine individual work, Hector Herrera left the ball for Pulido, who hammered it home from outside the area to send Mexico into the break up 2-0.
El Tri didn't hesitate one second after the restart as Pulido bagged his third. Aquino raced down the right side and put in a low cross for Pulido, who got ahead of his marker to finish just 45 seconds after the whistle.
"I didn't imagine this [scoring three goals]," Pulido told reporters after the game. "It's a dream for every striker. Now, we must continue to be humble, have the same desire, same workflow, not relax and keep responding to the coaching staff."
Mexico continued to dominate after the third goal, making a Honduras side that Mexico head coach Luis Fernando Tena qualified as a pre-tournament favorite look distinctly average.
Honduras did have a good chance as the game reached the hour mark, but Eddie Hernandez spurned a chance to pull one back after some nice work down the left from Mario Martinez.
Fabian had a good chance to add to Honduras' woes as he found himself alone on the far post after a flick-on from Jorge Enriquez, but the pass appeared to take Fabian by surprise and he couldn't make anything of the chance.
Mexico largely took its foot off the gas as the game started to wind down. This allowed Honduras to push forward a bit more, but Los Catrachos were still ultimately frustrated as they failed to find the net.
Substitute Jeronimo Amione had a golden chance to make it an even four late on after Fabian found him following a giveaway from Honduras. The San Luis man, however, finished clumsily, the ball soaring over the Honduran goal.
Mexico is all but assured of first place in Group B, and will face Panama on Tuesday with one eye on a semifinal clash that will determine whether it will make the Olympics. Honduras, meanwhile, needs to defeat Trinidad and Tobago to be sure of a semifinal berth.
Alan Pulido led the way, scoring all three goals, and Javier Aquino tallied two assists in the process. Though Honduras started brightly, it ultimately found itself well over-matched by a superior Mexico side.
Mexico head coach Luis Fernando Tena was happy with the win in his post-match press conference, but maintained focus on his team's ultimate goal.
"The team played well," he said. "After the first goal we were clear about winning. We have players with a lot of quality, but none of this will be worth it if we don't win the semifinal on March 31."
Honduras stated the game on the front foot, spending much of the first 10 minutes in Mexico's half. However, the Mexican defense held firm and in the 12th minute, El Tri relieved the early pressure with a goal.
On the counterattack, Aquino dished the ball to Pulido, and although it wasn't the best of passes, the Tigres man was able to control, find some space and finish low and hard into the far corner.
Mexico looked much more confident after the goal and moved the ball well. Marco Fabian and Miguel Ponce combined effectively, while the back line did an admirable job absorbing pressure.
Though Honduras did see some of the ball, it was unable to forge any clear-cut chances against a resolute Mexican defense. A Honduran shot in the 36th minute was deflected, causing a some problems for Mexico goalkeeper Liborio Sanchez, who ended up making the save.
Mexico would double its advantage three minutes later through Pulido, though. After some fine individual work, Hector Herrera left the ball for Pulido, who hammered it home from outside the area to send Mexico into the break up 2-0.
El Tri didn't hesitate one second after the restart as Pulido bagged his third. Aquino raced down the right side and put in a low cross for Pulido, who got ahead of his marker to finish just 45 seconds after the whistle.
"I didn't imagine this [scoring three goals]," Pulido told reporters after the game. "It's a dream for every striker. Now, we must continue to be humble, have the same desire, same workflow, not relax and keep responding to the coaching staff."
Mexico continued to dominate after the third goal, making a Honduras side that Mexico head coach Luis Fernando Tena qualified as a pre-tournament favorite look distinctly average.
Honduras did have a good chance as the game reached the hour mark, but Eddie Hernandez spurned a chance to pull one back after some nice work down the left from Mario Martinez.
Fabian had a good chance to add to Honduras' woes as he found himself alone on the far post after a flick-on from Jorge Enriquez, but the pass appeared to take Fabian by surprise and he couldn't make anything of the chance.
Mexico largely took its foot off the gas as the game started to wind down. This allowed Honduras to push forward a bit more, but Los Catrachos were still ultimately frustrated as they failed to find the net.
Substitute Jeronimo Amione had a golden chance to make it an even four late on after Fabian found him following a giveaway from Honduras. The San Luis man, however, finished clumsily, the ball soaring over the Honduran goal.
Mexico is all but assured of first place in Group B, and will face Panama on Tuesday with one eye on a semifinal clash that will determine whether it will make the Olympics. Honduras, meanwhile, needs to defeat Trinidad and Tobago to be sure of a semifinal berth.
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