Nicaragua stifles El Salvador

• by Soccer America , Jan 23, 2009

[DIGICEL UNCAF CUP] El Salvador, one of the USA's opponents in the Hexagonal, the final round of 2010 World Cup qualifying, opened the Central American Championship with a 1-1 tie to regional minnow Nicaragua. Another U.S. Hexagonal opponent, Honduras, opened the UNCAF Cup with a 2-1 over Belize in which former MLS star Amado Guevara scored Honduras' first from the penalty spot and was ejected with a yellow-red in the 90th minute.

In El Salvador's embarrassing tie, it went ahead on an own goal in the 18th minute but lost Shawn Martin to a yellow-red in the 25th minute. Nicaragua equalized with five minutes left on a goal by Marlon Medina.

Walter Martinez added to Guevara's PK goal by scoring in the 62nd minute. Lisbey Castillo scored Belize's consolation goal in the 86th minute.