SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras, June 4 (Reuters) - Inter Milan striker David Suazo scored twice to help Honduras kick off their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 4-0 win against Puerto Rico on Wednesday.

Genoa's Julio Leon and Wigan Athletic midfielder Wilson

Palacios shared the other goals in a comfortable win for the

Central Americans in the CONCACAF second preliminary round

first leg tie.

Despite having one of the strongest teams in the region on

paper, Honduras have not qualified for the World Cup since 1982

when they made their only appearance at the finals.

Honduras made a nervous start against a packed Puerto Rican

defence but broke through in the 25th minute when Leon scored

with a 25-metre shot.

Palacios and Suazo calmed Honduran nerves by scoring twice

in two minutes just after halftime before Suazo completed the

rout in stoppage time to give his team a comfortable lead for

the second leg later this month.

Puerto Rico had Marco Velez sent off in the 83rd minute.