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Douglas Martinez got the captain's armband for Honduras U-20s' crucial group-stage game against New Zealand in the2017 Men's U-20 World Cup.
Honduras lost its opening match against France - an expected result that brought the expected pressure on Los Catrachos to beat Group E rivals New Zealand and Vietnam be assured a place in the next round of the competition. New Zealand tied Vietnam, 0-0, in its opening game, making the match against Honduras a must-win for the All Whites, since no team in this group is expected to beat France.
And perhaps it was the fact that it had already suffered a set-back in the competition that saw New Zealand start with a little more urgency. A ball over the top put Myer Bevan in on goal in the opening minute, but he seemed more isolated than dangerous - but he found the perfect shot and the All Whites had a first-minute lead.
Martinez conceded the free kick that led to New Zealand's second goal, though it was hardly in a dangerous position. Closer to the half-way line than the Honduras area, Bevan lofted an optimistic ball into the box - and Hunter Ashworth rose highest to meet it. A looping header found the net; New Zealand had a two-goal lead less than 25 minutes into the game.
Honduras had a lot of possession, but few really dangerous chances. There was brief hope of a comeback when Jorge Alvarez scored in the 50th minute to bring Los Catrachos within a goal of level terms, but a 56th-minute penalty put New Zealand back up by two goals.
Martinez exited the match in the 90th minute with his team well on its way to another loss at this World Cup.
The 3-1 win assures New Zealand of at least third place in Group E, and four points is quite likely to be enough to secure at least a lucky-loser's spot in the knockout rounds. For Honduras, winless and with a -5 goal difference, it seems very likely that this World Cup will be over after its final group stage game, against Vietnam on May 28.