Martinez Starts, Goes 70 Minutes In Honduras Win Over New Zealand
Jul 25, 2021, 4:12 AM
KASHIMA, JAPAN - Players of Team Honduras pose for a team photograph prior to the Men's First Round Group B match between New Zealand and Honduras on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ibaraki Kashima Stadium on July 25, 2021 in Kashima, Ibaraki, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
(Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Real Salt Lake forward Douglas Martinez started for Honduras as Los Catrachos knocked off New Zealand 3-2 in Group B play the Tokyo Olympics.
Martinez started on the left wing, and went 70 minutes against the Kiwis.
🗣 Arranca el juego de #Honduras en los #Olímpicos #Tokio2020 .#HND 🇭🇳 V #NZL#Vamosquepodemos #SueñoOlímpico🔥 pic.twitter.com/V9S86ydZqo
— Selección Nacional de Honduras (@FenafuthOrg) July 25, 2021
The RSL man had his chances in the match, though he wasn’t able to capitalize on them and net a goal for his national squad.
His first chance came in the 33rd minute, when Martinez found himself with the ball at the corner of the 18 yard box. Martinez took a shot, a curling ball that went high and wide of the target. One minute later, he had a half-chance inside the 6 yard box, but wasn’t able to corral the pass that came his way.
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Martinez’s best chance at goal came in the 60th minute. He found himself with the ball just outside the box, and was able to get a shot on goal. The shot didn’t have any power behind it, however, and was easily saved by New Zealand keeper Michael Woud.
Woud Wouldn’t Save Today
But Woud would prove to be the scapegoat for the Kiwis. All three Honduras goals arguably could have been prevented with better keeping. Honduras’ first goal was a header from former Real Monarchs player Luis Palma. Palma put the ball down in front of Woud, who had a chance at a save, but ended up punching the ball into the side net.
La H’s second goal came after Woud didn’t charge the ball as it was shepherded to him by his defender, and Juan Obregon slid between the two to poke the ball into the net.
The final nail for New Zealand was a shot from Rigoberto Rivas that took a defection, but Woud had a chance at saving. The keeper didn’t extend fully, and thus allowed a third and go-ahead score from Honduras.
Massive win for #RSL's own Douglas Martinez's national team at the #TokyoOlympics. #KSLOlympics
📸: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/xxnARary7C
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 25, 2021
One More #RSLFam Tie
Jason Batty served as the goalkeepers coach for New Zealand in this match. Batty was also the GK coach for the Utah Royals during their time in the Beehive State.
