CONCACAF World Cup Brazil 2014 final hexagonal qualifier is underway to a surprising start. Whether it ends the way it began or not is yet to be seen, but the way it kicked off may suggest to some that there will be surprises come October 15th when it is all over.
Honduras, for instance, who refers to the U.S. National Team as its "Black Beast" -the exact reason it's unknown to me- was opening its hexagonal participation precisely against the U.S.A. in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The morning following the match Honduran newspaper-covers labeled their 2-1 victory over their American nemesis as "Historic." Honduras was behind 0-1 during the match, but was able to turn it around at the end. Judging by the way the U.S. National Team has been playing under Jürgen Klinsmann's tutelage, I would not refer to Honduras' victory as "Historic." Of course, they are measuring actual history and head-to-head results over the past 2 or 3 decades. Maybe more. Honduras, however, is witnessing a very interesting generation of current players, with four playing their club duties in the MLS and 3 in the English Premier League. That is unprecendented for Honduran football. Thus, "Historic"? Maybe, surprising? Not, at all.
The region's powerhouse and current Gold Cup champion, Mexico, was also opening at home against Jamaica. Even the more "knowledgeable" or pessimistic football connoiseur would not have predicted even a draw in favor of Jamaica. And that is exactly what happened. The Mexican National Team was unable to penetrate the extremely dense, but smart Jamaican back line and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. Mexican fans at the famed Azteca Stadium turned their backs on their heroes and began supporting the Reggae Boyz with chants of encouragement as the game entered its final stage.
Surprising hexagonal participant Panama came close to achieving their first 3 points while playing at home versus Costa Rica. Leading 2-0 well into the second half were unable to hold the result, and Costa Rica tied it 2 goals a piece at the end. Panama, playing under the guidance of the most heralded player of its young soccer history, Julio Cesar Dely Valdes, is doing surprisingly well. It should be no surprise if they make it to Brazil 2014.
On the flip side of the coin, Costa Rica's Jorge Luis Pinto is under severe pressure for their playing style of late and struggling through out the qualifiers so far. The draw at Panama should give him much needed breathing room, but it may not be for long.
March 22 will be the next round of matches, and there is no shortage of electrifying matches coming up. Honduras plays host again to Mexico, this time. Panama will visit Jamaica, while the United States will face Costa Rica in Colorado Springs.
