Honduras Face Uphill Task to Qualify from Group H

Frank Doyle assesses Honduras’ chances of shocking the world in South Africa.

Honduras is very much a minnow at the World Cup. Los Catrachos are in a tough group with Spain, Chile and Switzerland, and bettors will get back $33 on every dollar bet if Honduras manage to turn the form book on its head and win Group H. However, Honduras have a history of over-performing in the World Cup – as red hot Group H favorites Spain know to their cost.

Honduras’ only other appearance at the World Cup was in 1982 in Spain, when they sensationally held out for a 1-1 draw against the hosts. That doesn’t sound like much now, but a 1-1 result when the sides meet again on June 21st in Johannesburg this year is priced at 11/1 and that’s about right. It would be a sensation.

The 1982 side was very unlucky, as they went on to draw with Northern Ireland and only a late goal against Yugoslavia cost the Hondurans a place in the second round.

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Honduras edged into this year’s World Cup. While Group H favorites Spain won all their games with ease on their way to South Africa, Honduras came third in the Concacaf qualifying region. Costa Rica had its ticket to South Africa booked until an injury time equaliser in Costa Rica’s final game against the USA saw the Hondurans go through on goal difference, while the Costa Ricans went on to lose a playoff against Uruguay.

Now that they’re there, can the Hondurans make the most of it? In theory, Honduras are in a better place now than they were in 1982. Midfielder Wilson Palacios helped England’s Tottenham Hotspur claim a Champions League place this year, striker David Suazo plays for Genoa in Italy and the ten most capped Honduran players ever are all playing currently. Carlos Pavon typifies that veteran expertise and his goal poaching ability will be vital if Honduras are to make waves.

On the downside, the draw is against them. It’s impossible to imagine Honduras qualifying without their beating Switzerland, but the Hondurans have to play Chile and Spain first. Chile need to start with a win if they’re to challenge Spain for the group, while not only might Spain like to avenge the 1982 team, the talent disparity between the sides is such that Spain could hammer Honduras 5-0 by accident. Without even really trying.

The key game for Honduras is the first. If they can hold out against Chile in the first game at the Mbombela Stadium, then they have a chance of bottling lightning again. If not, things may fall apart and that price of 33/1 on them to win the Group will look very mean indeed.