No Goals in Honduras or Peru World Cup Playoff Matches

Honduras was unable to score in a home game against Australia, with a 0-0 draw in the first-leg of their World Cup playoff Friday, as the Peruvian team also drew a goalless match in their meeting with New Zealand at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

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On Nov. 15 they will all play again in the last leg of playoff matches. Peru, ranked 10th in the world, dominated the first half, but in the second half, New Zealand took the lead and the visiting team was not able to launch an offensive.

Meanwhile, both Honduras and Australia looked exhausted after a match where Australia missed several opportunities. In the 34th minute, striker Tomi Juric pulled his shot wide with only goalkeeper Donis Escober in his way.

Eight minutes into the second half, Juric was again in the right place at the right time but watched Escober acrobatically turn his close-range header over the bar.

The capacity crowd in San Pedro Sula had to wait until the 82nd minute for the home team’s best chance when substitute Carlos Costly fired straight at keeper Mat Ryan.

The scrappy nature of the intercontinental playoff was summed up by the eight yellow cards handed out over a punishing 90 minutes.