Oct 14 2009
Honduras, Argentina Among World Cup Qualifiers
Honduras won at El Salvador, 1-0, to claim the third and final automatic qualifying spot for next year’s World Cup from CONCACAF. Costa Rica had a chance to clinch a berth but lost a two-goal halftime lead. Bryan Ruiz scored twice to put the Ticos in the lead. Michael Bradley, son of Coach Bob Bradley, put the U.S. on the board in the 72nd minute. Jonathan Bornstein scored 4.5 minutes into added time to draw the Americans level. Mexico tied at Trinidad and Tobago, 2-2.
Costa Rica will face Uruguay in a two-leg playoff next month. Costa Rica will host the first leg Nov. 14. The second leg is at Uruguay Nov. 18. Uruguay lost at home to Argentina, 1-0, tonight to finish fifth in CONMEBOL qualifying. Argentina grabbed the fourth and last automatic bid from the region.
UEFA round-robin qualifying ended Wednesday. Denmark, England, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland are the group winners and have earned spots in South Africa next year. Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Greece, Ireland, Portugal, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine are the group runners-up that will advance to two-leg playoffs next month for the last four regional places. The draw will be held Monday.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Richard Petty will highlight NASCAR’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. Also slated for induction are legendary driver Junior Johnson and series pioneers Bill France Sr. and Bill France Jr.
Fifth-ranked Boise State (6-0) edged host Tulsa (4-2), 28-21, tonight. Louisiana-Monroe (4-1) held Arkansas State (1-5), 16-10, at home Tuesday. Montreal (12-2) thrashed Calgary (8-6), 32-11, and Winnipeg (6-8) defeated Hamilton (6-8), 38-28, in Thanksgiving Day CFL games Monday.
Two events remain in the NHRA season. Tony Schumacher leads Larry Dixon in the Top Fuel class by 47 points. Teammates Robert Hight and Ashley Force Hood are separated by 13 points at the top of the Funny Car standings. Mike Edwards has a near-stranglehold on the Pro Stock crown, leading Greg Anderson by 128 points. Hector Arana leads Ed Krawiec by 28 points in the Pro Stock Motorcycle standings.
