Morocco holds on for 2-2 draw against Honduras

Published: July 26, 2012, 7:01 a.m. MDT

Morocco's Noureddine Amrabat (9) battles for the ball with Honduras' Jose Velasquez during the group D men's soccer match against Honduras at the 2012 London Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Hampden Park Stadium in Glasgow, Scotland. Chris Clark, Associated Press

GLASGOW, Scotland — Ten-man Morocco held on for a 2-2 draw against Honduras on Thursday in the men's football Group D opener at the Olympics.

Morocco opened the scoring in the 39th minute with a superb volley from Abdelaziz Barrada. Honduras equalized in the 56th with a tap-in from Jerry Bengtson, who then converted a penalty in the 65th to give the Central American team a 2-1 lead.

But Honduras' advantage only lasted two minutes, with Morocco forward Zakaria Labyad chipping the goalkeeper from inside the area. Morocco left back Zakarya Bergdich was then shown a straight red card in the 71st for kicking Mario Martinez in the left knee.

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Honduras plays Spain next, while Morocco takes on Japan. Both matches are in Newcastle on Sunday.

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