There is no doubt football is huge in Honduras and history is a testimony to that. It is a nation that was engaged in a ‘100-hour Soccer War’ in 1969 against El Salvador following rioting during a World Cup qualifier between the two countries.
Since then, Honduras have qualified for the World Cup three times — first in 1982 and now with back-to-back appearances — and they will be keen on making their presence felt in Brazil.
A third-place finish in the final round of qualifying and 2-1 wins at home to USA and away to Mexico, along with a 2-2 draw in Jamaica to confirm their berth, will have done a world of good for their confidence.
Their World Cup campaign in South Africa in 2010 ended in disappointment as all they managed was the unwanted distinction of being one of two teams not to find the net even once as they crashed out in the first round.
This time round, placed in a group with France, Ecuador and Switzerland, Honduras will be trying to make the most of the familiar, if testing, conditions in Brazil.
Strikers Carlo Costly and Jerry Bengtson have managed 16 goals between them in the qualifiers, but the former is the most likely starter if Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez opts for a lone centre-forward.
In midfield they have the experience of Wilson Palacios, who has figured in 82 matches, and is one of the most well-known Honduran internationals thanks to his time with Wigan Athletic, Tottenham and Stoke City in the English Premier League.
The defensive line will be patrolled by Maynor Figueroa, the Hull City defender who is well known for scoring from his own half when with Wigan.
Also trying to impress will be the ever-improving Andy Najar of Belgian side Anderlecht. Honduras also have an experienced coach in Colombian Suarez. The 53-year-old, who took charge in 2011, has previous World Cup experience, having helped Ecuador reach the last 16 in 2006.
Honduras
Group E
Fifa ranking: 30
TOP MAN
|
Wilson Palacios |
|
COACH
|
|
Luis Fernando Suarez |
BEST 11 (4-4-2)
Valladares; Izaguirre, Bernardez, Figueroa, Beckeles; Palacios, Espinoza, Garrido, O. Garcia; Costly, Bengtson
Squad
Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana)
Defenders: Edder Delgado (Real Espana), Maynor Figueroa (Hull City/ENG), Victor Bernardez (San Jose/USA), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic/SCO), Osman Chavez (Qingdao/CHN), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua)
Midfielders: Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Andy Najar (Anderlecht/BEL), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic/ENG), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City/ENG), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids/USA), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Mario Martinez (Real Espana)
Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England/USA), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense/CRA), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad/ESP)
GROUP OPPONENTS
QUALIFYING CAMPAIGN
Won an incredibly tight Concacaf qualifying third round above Panama on goal difference and one point ahead of Canada. In the fourth and final round, Honduras finished third to qualify automatically.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
First Tournament: 1982 (in Spain)
Appearances (before 2014): 2
Best finish: Group stage (1982, 2010)
PROS
- Honduras have some quality strikers in Andy Najar, Carlos Costly and Jerry Bengtson and the trio will be keen to prove a point.
- Coach Luis Fernando Suarez knows two of the group opponents well, having formerly managed Ecuador and held Switzerland to a 0-0 draw in 2010.
- Strong team spirit helped Honduras finish above Mexico in Concacaf qualifying.
CONS
- Honduras have never even won a World Cup game, never mind progressed beyond the first round. They also failed to score a goal in 2010.
- Lacking in star power, with their best known player, Wilson Palacios, a defensive midfielder.
- Formerly reliable defender Maynor Figueroa has suffered a shaky season with Hull City.
