KINGSTON, JAMAICA – The Honduras men’s national team did not kick off its 2019 Gold Cup campaign in the way it had hoped, falling 3-2 against hosts Jamaica at the Independence Park Stadium on Monday.
An electric crowd of 17,874, except for a few Honduran fans that made the trip, rooted for the home side and celebrated each of their goals.
“We knew it would be a tough game playing at their home. We must keep working. There are two finals left to play and we will prepare for them,” were the words of Honduran FW Alberth Elis following the match.
Elis was one of the catalysts for his team’s attack and provided the assist to teammate Antony Lozano to put Honduras on the scoreboard.
It was an important score for the Honduras attacking players, and then fellow forward Rubilio Castillo got the second team goal to cut Jamaica’s lead to 3-2.
Elis and his teammates put all their energy in hopes of a third goal and were disappointed to fall short.
Yet with plenty of positives to take, the team now looks to take a step towards its initial goal of qualifying for the next round.
“We’re working and getting better day to day. We await Friday’s match and we hope to win it,” added Elis.
The following encounter comes in familiar territory for Elis, who plays in Major League Soccer for the Houston Dynamo. Fellow national team forward Romell Quioto and team captain Maynor Figueroa also play with the local side.
With solid Honduran support expected in the stands, Elis now looks to power his national side to victory and replicate the result Jamaica enjoyed in Kingston.
“We hope to win in Houston and Los Angeles,” stated Elis. “[Houston is] my home. I know the field well and we will look to take advantage of that on Friday.”
