El Salvador was assured of its place in the final four of the Copa de Naciones Digicel de UNCAF earlier Monday when Nicaragua and Belize drew 1-1. The results finished host Honduras with a third victory in as many games and nine points atop Group A, five ahead of Honduras. Nicaragua edged out Belize for third with two points, one ahead of the Jaguars.
The draw extended Belize's streak of never having qualified for the Gold Cup, but earned Nicaragua another chance at its first. It will face either Panama or Guatemala on Thursday night for fifth place in the UNCAF cup and the last berth in CONCACAF's biennial championship.
Carlos Pavon, who set up both goals in Honduras' opening night victory over Belize, scored his first of the tournament with a penalty in the 34th minute for the only goal the Catrachos needed. Marvin Chavez added another in the 73rd to complete the victory as captain Amado Guevara returned to the side after having to sit out Saturday's match against Nicaragua due to a red card against Belize.
El Salvador next faces Costa Rica in Friday's semifinals, with Honduras to face either Panama or Guatemala. Panama and Guatemala were to face off Tuesday night with the winner advancing.
A draw would send Guatemala through.
In the earlier game, Juan Berrera scored in the 66th minute for Nicaragua, giving the Pinoleros a chance to match its highest finish in the Central American championship. Byron Usher scored in the 27th minute for Belize, which has never won a game in the Central American cup finals or qualifying and fell to 0-3-14.
