Honduras pulls a late draw with Belarus

World Cup qualifiers Honduras forced a 2-2 draw in their international friendly with Belarus here on Thursday as they prepare for their first appearance at the World Cup finals since 1982.

The Central Americans – who have two more friendlies organised in Austria before flying to South Africa – had striker Georgie Welcome to thank for grabbing the draw against a side who failed to reach the finals.

Honduras had taken the lead through Torino midfielder Julio de Leon only for their opponents to stun them with goals in the 57th and 59th minutes but Welcome was on hand to give them a deserved draw in the 70th minute.

Honduras have been drawn in Group H at the June 11-July 11 football showpiece.

They will play Chile, who finished second in the South American qualifiers, Switzerland and European champions Spain on June 21, and against whom they will be hoping for a repeat of their stunning 1-1 draw when the Spanish hosted the 1982 edition.

The Hondurans will play Azerbaijan on June 2 in Zell-am-See and round-up their friendlies with a match against Romania on June 5 at Sankt-Veit-an-der-Glan.