Andy Najar spares Honduras blushes

Andy Najar atoned for a missed penalty by netting an 82nd-minute equaliser as Honduras held Panama to a 1-1 draw in this morning's CONCACAF Gold Cup clash.

The Gillette Stadium played host as both sides survived close shaves following a fast and furious opening to the contest, before Panama drew first blood on 21 minutes.

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Honduras, who lost their opener to host nation USA, failed to clear a free kick that was whipped into their box, and Luis Tejada was on hand to chest the ball home from six yards for a scrappy opening goal.

They would have levelled shortly before the half-hour mark if not for goalkeeper Jaime Penedo, who pulled off a point-blank save to deny Carlos Discua's stinging effort.

Minutes later, Discua found himself with another chance to level matters but he blazed over from 10 yards as Panama - who drew 1-1 with Haiti in the competition's curtain-raiser - brought a slender lead into the break.

Honduras continued to dominate and almost equalised on 52 minutes, as Anthony Lozano found himself inches from parity before his effort was cleared off the line.

They looked like running out of ideas before being awarded a penalty on 77 minutes when Armando Cooper fouled Najar, who missed from 12 yards following a melee over the decision, but converted the rebound after Penedo palmed it against the bar.

Eddie Hernandez thought that he was the hero for Honduras by finding the net on 95 minutes, but it was chalked off for offside.

Panama saw Luis Henriquez sent off for a second yellow card in the dying stages, but the final whistle sounded shortly after as Hernan Dario Gomez's side survived.