Gardener hits the post in yesterday's game. - Ricardo Makyn

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz's hopes of securing a place in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, suffered a major blow, after going down 2-0 to Honduras at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, in Honduras, last night.

The loss was the second in a row for the Jamaicans, who went down 3-0 to Mexico at the Estadio Azteca stadium on Saturday night. However, perhaps more importantly, the National team has managed to garner a mere one point from their last three games. The team's only point so far came against Canada in their first game at the BMO stadium in Toronto.

Perhaps inspired by the fact that technical director René Simoes had labelled the game as one, which the team could not afford to lose, the Reggae Boyz began the affair in lively fashion.

More adventurous

Unlike their previous encounter, the team looked more adventurous in their play, with starting striker Luton Shelton looking to be a handful for the Honduras backline.

However, despite the fact that the Central Americans seemed more than capable of launching precise attacks of their own, neither team was able to break the deadlock headed into half-time. However, after a spell of positive possession, Ramon Nunez put Honduras into the lead in the 60th minute, cutting into the area to blast past Reggae Boyz custodian Donovan Ricketts. Minutes later the Central Americans wrapped up the game from the spot, courtesy of a 73rd minute Amado Guevera penalty.

The win saw Honduras move to second place with six points while Mexico moved to nine following a win over a spirited Canadian team.

Mexico topped Canada 2-1 in dense rain for its third win in as many matches.

Striker Omar Bravo, one of Mexico's 10 European-based players, came off the bench to replace Giovani Dos Santos in the second half and open the scoring in the 59th minute.

Rafael Marquez made it 2-0 in the 72nd and minutes later Canadian Ali Gerba replied.

Announced retirement

Cuauhtemoc Blanco, playing his last match for Mexico, went on for the last four minutes. After 13 years playing for Mexico, he publicly announced his retirement from international duty just before the match.

He told the team on Tuesday, and they carried him off the field on their shoulders and unfurled a banner that read "Thank you, Cuauthemoc."

Mexico had two chances in the first 17 minutes but both times Carlos Vela missed.

In the second half, Mexico had its first opportunity in the 53rd minute, but Rafael Marquez's shot was deflected.

Vela had another from a corner kick, but Canada's goalkeeper Lars Hirschfield diverted his shot.

Mexico led Group B with a maximum nine points, followed by Honduras on six, and Jamaica and Canada with one each. Only the top two advanced.

Mexico won all of its games at home and will visit the other three teams starting October 11, when they will face Jamaica.