Honduras stumble in World Cup warm-up

30 May, Brazil (AFP):  Mevlut Erdinc scored one goal and set up another as Turkey defeated Brazil-bound Honduras 2-0 on Thursday in a FIFA World Cup™ warm-up friendly match.
Erdinc, a striker for French club Saint-Etienne, scored in the 70th minute and made the key pass to Caner Erkin for his 83rd minute tally.
It was the first in a series of World Cup preparation matches for Honduras, which will open play in Brazil against France on 15 June and also face Ecuador and Switzerland in Group E matches. Los Catrachos also face warm-up matches against Israel on Sunday at Houston and at Miami on 7 June against England.
Turkey, which failed to qualify for the World Cup, sported a young line-up that lacked injured Arda Turan of UEFA Champions League runner-up Atletico Madrid. They will face the World Cup-bound USA on Sunday in suburban New York.
Turkey’s Ishak Dogan set up the first goal when he faked past Honduran defender Brayan Beckeles and charged in from the right of goalkeeper Noel Valladares, the 37-year-old Honduran captain. Moments later, Erdinc directed a centering pass into the back of the net.
Turkey added an insurance goal when tightly guarded Erdinc flicking the ball to unmarked Erkin, who charged into the penalty area and blasted home a left-footed shot.
Missed opportunities for Honduras
Honduras, bolstered by thousands of loud supporters in the crowd of 20,723 at RFK Stadium, set the early pace but the best chance went lacking when Roger Espinoza of English club Wigan had a blast from the left wing booted away by Turkish teen defender Ozan Tufan.
Honduras received a scare in the 22nd minute when midfielder Wilson Palacios, who plays for English Premier League side Stoke City, remained crumpled on the pitch after tangling legs with a Turkish defender. Trainers treated his right leg and Palacios rose and went on to remain in the match, his 93rd appearance for the Blue and White.
Attacking successfully along the wings, the Central Americans struggled to connect on centering efforts. Espinoza missed an open shot in the 39th minute, his left-footed challenge from the right of Turkish goalkeeper Tolga Zengin rolling wide of the far post.
Jerry Bengtson was offered another solid chance in the 43rd minute but his right-footed strike in stride down the right side missed the near post. Just over nine minutes into the second half, another opportunity went wanting for Honduras when defender Emilio Figueroa nodded a header off a corner into Zengin’s arms.
Turkey’s first great scoring chance came in the 58th minute when Erdinc took a centering pass at point blank range and blasted a shot that forced Valladares to make a stunning right-hand save.