Honduras
Honduras - Group E (Switzerland, Ecuador, France)
Honduras or "The H", as they are called by fans, is the team on rise in North America. Having played their first game in 1921, a 10-1 defeat to Guatemala, they won a bunch of Central American tourneys and remains a competitive team
Profile
They won the 1981 CONCACAF Championship with led to their first World Cup qualification.But their ascent started when they were invited to play their maiden Copa America in 2001, which they impressively finished at third place
Honduras, as evident from the qualifiers, are more dependent on the corners to score their goals and they fail to score often. Their defense is also patchy and is prone to letting goals in bunches
National Autonomous Federation of Football of Honduras (FENAFUTH)
Confederation: CONCACAF (North America)
Coach: Luis Fernando Saurez (COL)
FIFA Ranking: 30 (8-May-2014)
Nickname: Los Catrachos
Key Players: Costly, Figueroa, Palacios
Legends: Pavon, Guevara, Turcios
History
Honduras have qualified in two World Cups before this edition, in 1982 and 2010 and they have failed to get out of group stages on both occasions. They have a much better record in Central America and have won three title each in UNCAF Cup and Central American Games. They have a derby rivalry with Costa Rica which they currently trail 20-22
Qualification
Honduras entered the Hexagonal after finishing on top in the third round of Noth American qualifiers. They remained unbeaten at home but faced trouble when they lost three away games, but made a stunning come back when they beat hosts Mexico in their fortress Azteca. This is their second consecutive qualification
Prospects
Honduras will not expect to progress from the tough group, which include two tough European teams, but they would like to perform better against their cross-continental opponents Ecuador. They'd need to tighten their defense if they intend to get a positive result
Squad
Goalkeepers:
Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis López (Real Espana)
Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis López (Real Espana)
Defenders:
Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chávez (Qingdao Jonoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua), Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan Athletic)
Maynor Figueroa (Hull City), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chávez (Qingdao Jonoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua), Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan Athletic)
Midfielders:
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids)
Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids)
Forwards:
Carlo Costly (Real España), Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Rony Martínez (Real Sociedad de Honduras), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense)
Carlo Costly (Real España), Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Rony Martínez (Real Sociedad de Honduras), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense)
Fixtures
France vs Honduras on June 15 at Porto Alegre
Honduras vs Switzerland on June 25 at Manaus
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