HONDURASManager: Luis Suárez
Likely Line-up (4-4-2)
| Pos | Name | Age | Caps | Club |
| GK | Valladares* | 37 | 121 | Olimpia |
| RB | Beckeles | 28 | 22 (1) | Olimpia |
| CB | Bernárdez* | 32 | 77 (4) | San Jose Earthquakes (USA) |
| CB | Figueroa* | 31 | 104 (3) | Hull City (ENG) |
| LB | Izaguirre* | 28 | 67 (1) | Celtic (SCO) |
| RM | Najar | 21 | 16 (1) | Anderlect (BEL) |
| CM | Palacios* | 29 | 94 (6) | Stoke City (ENG) |
| CM | Espinoza* | 27 | 41 (5) | Wigan Athletic (ENG) |
| LM | Chávez | 30 | 41 (4) | Chivas USA (USA) |
| ST | Costly | 31 | 69 (31) | Real España |
| ST | Bengtson | 27 | 43 (19) | New England Revolution (USA) |
* Has appeared at a previous World Cup
Average Age: 28.4
Total Caps: 695
Best Odds: 4000/1 (BetVictor, Ladbrokes)
Player to Watch: Victor Bernárdez
Why I am mentioning all this in an article about Honduras is because they easily outperformed Mexico in the final CONCACAF qualifying group (as did Costa Rica). The minimum standard for Honduras will still be to avoid humiliation, but they will not be as weak as many might think.
They will be able to rely on the abilities of Luis Suárez. Sadly for them the Luis Suárez in question is their Columbian manager, rather than the Liverpool striker. Suárez usually tends to play a version of 4-4-2, even persisting with 2 strikers in a friendly against the mighty Brazil played in Florida last November
Central
defence will be manned by Victor Bernardez, and Maynor Figueroa of Hull City.
Figueroa’s preferred position is at left back, but he is an adaptable player
who has played regularly at centre back for his country. Bernardez (left) currently
plays for San Jose Earthquakes, and is regarded in Honduras as their strongest centre
back. As a young man he came through the academy at Belgian side Anderlecht
alongside Romelu Lukaku.
Both goals in that game were scored by towering striker Carlo Costly. The 6’3” journeyman is back in the Honduran league with Real España after spells in Poland, England, Romania, Mexico, the USA, Greece and China, but has an impressive 31 goals in 69 appearances for Honduras. He is likely to be partnered with Jerry Bengtson of New England Revolution. Bengtson is almost equal in stature to Costly, and if the 2 play it will suggest Honduras intend to make set pieces an important part of their attacking strategy.
This is the 3rd World Cup for Honduras. They are
yet to win a game in the finals, and any change to that record will be greeted
as a spectacular achievement for the nation, rather than just its football
side. With a very respectable record in qualifying, under no pressure, and facing
a relatively weak group, that possibility can’t be excluded.
Player to Watch: Victor Bernárdez
There will be a tendency for many to look down their noses
at Honduras and Costa Rica. The USA and Mexico will be seen as being capable of
producing competitive performances, but the duo from Central America will be,
perhaps justifiably, seen as minnows, and many will question that the CONCACAF
region gets 4 World Cup places at all.
In truth the CONCACAF region only gets 3.5 places. The 4th
place team in the final qualifying stage faced a play-off against the winners
of the Oceania Football Confederation qualifying pool to earn their place in
Brazil. Mexico duly thrashed New Zealand 9-3 on aggregate over two legs.
Why I am mentioning all this in an article about Honduras is because they easily outperformed Mexico in the final CONCACAF qualifying group (as did Costa Rica). The minimum standard for Honduras will still be to avoid humiliation, but they will not be as weak as many might think.
They will be able to rely on the abilities of Luis Suárez. Sadly for them the Luis Suárez in question is their Columbian manager, rather than the Liverpool striker. Suárez usually tends to play a version of 4-4-2, even persisting with 2 strikers in a friendly against the mighty Brazil played in Florida last November
The uncapped Luis López has been handed the #1 jersey, but with
121 caps veteran stopper Noel Valladares, who has a preference for wearing #18,
would be expected to start between the posts. Valladares is the last remaining
member of the Honduras squad who finished 3rd in the 2001 Copa
América, beating Brazil in the quarter final.
A back 4 of Beckeles, Bernardez, Figueroa and Izaguirre
seems likely. Beckeles plays for Club
Deportivo Olimpia in Honduras, and although there are a number of players who could
fill this role, but my guess would be that Beckeles will get the nod.
Central
defence will be manned by Victor Bernardez, and Maynor Figueroa of Hull City.
Figueroa’s preferred position is at left back, but he is an adaptable player
who has played regularly at centre back for his country. Bernardez (left) currently
plays for San Jose Earthquakes, and is regarded in Honduras as their strongest centre
back. As a young man he came through the academy at Belgian side Anderlecht
alongside Romelu Lukaku.
Left back will be occupied by Emilio Izaguirre of Scottish champions
Celtic.
In midfield a reasonable looking partnership of Wilson
Palacios and Roger Espinosa is likely. While out of possession both Palacios
and Espinoza will sit deep, attempting to protect the porous back four. Palacios
has had a better season at Stoke and will bring his storming box-to-box style
to his national side, while Espinoza will remain in deep positions and attempt
to dictate the tempo of proceedings.
Defensive responsibilities will be at least as important as
attacking for the wide men. For this reason I suspect Andy Nájar will be
selected. Martin Chavez would also have a preference for playing on the right,
but the left footer may be selected on the left side of midfield. The Chivas
USA player was selected in this position in the 2-2 friendly draw with
Venezuela last November.
Both goals in that game were scored by towering striker Carlo Costly. The 6’3” journeyman is back in the Honduran league with Real España after spells in Poland, England, Romania, Mexico, the USA, Greece and China, but has an impressive 31 goals in 69 appearances for Honduras. He is likely to be partnered with Jerry Bengtson of New England Revolution. Bengtson is almost equal in stature to Costly, and if the 2 play it will suggest Honduras intend to make set pieces an important part of their attacking strategy.
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