MANIZALES
(Courtesy Ananova) - Colombia stormed into the final of the
Copa America with a 2-0 win over Honduras.
Victor Aristizabal got his sixth goal of the tournament after
Gerardo Bedoya had notched an early opener.
The victory ended the amazing run of Honduras, a last-minute
replacement for Argentina, who upset Bolivia, Uruguay and Brazil
en route to the semi-final.
Colombia now face Mexico for the title on Sunday, while the
Hondurans will play Uruguay for third place.
Colombia came out all guns blazing and within five minutes had
peppered the Honduran goal with four shots. In the third minute,
defender Bedoya sent a shot whistling past the right post and
three minutes later Bedoya dribbled to the left corner of the
area and unleashed a booming left-footed shot into the far upper
corner for a 1-0 lead.
When the Hondurans finally managed to break out of defence they
found it almost impossible to get pas the well-organised Colombian
defence. However, they at least gained a foot-hold in the game
and on the half hour Amado Guevara sent a 25-yard free kick
towards the top left corner, forcing keeper Oscar Cordoba to
make a nice leaping save.
In the second half, Honduras' Julio Cesar Leon struck the crossbar
with a swerving free kick from near the left corner.
But the clinching goal came in the 63rd minute when Aristizabal
took a cross from Freddy Grisales, trapped the ball on his chest
and fired as he spun to make it 2-0.
David Ferreira had a last chance for Honduras, but his shot
on the turn from in close went wide six minutes from time.
