Honduras misses 2018 FIFA World Cup with 3-1 loss to Australia in playoff

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Honduras missed out on their opportunity to go to a third straight FIFA World Cup in 2018 following a 3-1 loss to Australia in the second leg of the intercontinental playoff early Wednesday morning.


Following a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Honduras last week, Los Catrachos needed either a win or a scoring draw to advance to Russia in 2018. A hat trick from Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak dashed those hopes in Sydney, however, leaving CONCACAF with just three participants in next year's tournament (Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama). Dynamo forward Alberth Elis cleaned up a corner kick in front of goal in added time for a consolation goal.


Elis started and played the full 90 minutes for Honduras after missing the first leg due to a yellow card suspension. Romell Quioto also started, going 75 minutes, while midfielder Boniek García was an unused substitute. The Dynamo trio now return to Houston for next Tuesday's Western Conference Championship first leg against Seattle Sounders FC (8:30 p.m. | FS1).