Honduras
Honduras
Honduras have the United States to thank for what is to be only their second ever appearance at a World Cup final. USA came from behind to hold Costa Rica 2-2 to hand Honduras third and the final automatic qualification spot in CONCACAF. Their first appearance in the World Cup dates back to 1982, when Spain hosted the global showpiece. They drew two matches - including one against the host - and lost the third, against Yugoslavia.
Honduras will be well organized defensively, and have plenty of experience at the international level – eight of their players hold more than 50 international caps, including Wigan duo Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas, Tottenham enforcer Wilson Palacios, and captain Amado Guevara. Even so, they can hardly be touted as stars on the international level, and despite securing automatic qualification, seem an unlikely bet to go past the first round against more experienced and technically gifted opponents.
Key Player: David Suazo
One of the most experienced players in the Honduran team, striker David Suazo is one of the few players in the squad who has played at Europe’s top level, with a club career during which he has represented Cagliari, Inter Milan, Benfica and now Genoa. Suazo was awarded the honor of being Serie A’s foreign footballer of the year in 2006 as he scored 26 times over the course of the season for Cagliari, and consequently became the subject of a transfer saga between Inter and AC Milan. At the international level he has scored 19 goals in 52 appearances for the Honduras team, and will be expected to be on top form for the Central American side if they are to pull off any upsets in South Africa.
What they said
“We're so happy to be going to South Africa and we're not going to let down all those people who believed in us." – Honduras striker Carlos Pavon expresses his delight after qualification was secured.
What we think
Rueda's men may have some top-level European experience with the likes of Suazo based in Italy and Wilson Palacios performing well at Tottenham, but it would be a big shock if Honduras made it to the second round, as they will certainly be expected to lose to sides like Spain, Chile and Switzerland. Even if they are able to pull off some group stage upsets, the side seems to lack depth and experience and it is very doubtful that they will make it to the latter stages of the tournament.
