The Road to South Africa

Honduras made it to South Africa because they scored goals when it mattered – none more so than the strike pairing of Carlos Pavon and Carlo Costly who netted nine times between them. A guide to how they might fare in the World Cup is that in both the first and second group stages Honduras beat Mexico at home, with Costly and Pavon scoring three times in San Pedro Sula and only lost in the Azteca because of a late penalty. Their two matches against the United States were both lost, 2-1 in Chicago and 3-2 at home, although the narrowness of their defeats should give Rueda some hope when the opening fixture against Chile kicks off.

The Star Players

Maynor Figueroa (Wigan) Whatever happens in South Africa, this swashbuckling left-back will remember this season for an astonishing goal he scored from his own half for Wigan against Stoke in the Premier League. Given the poor quality of some of his defensive partners, it is unlikely his manager will want to see Figueroa too far forward.

Carlo Costly (Vaslui) His father, Anthony, represented Honduras in the 1982 tournament and now, 28 years on, his son, Carlo, is doing the same. His partnership with Carlos Pavon was crucial to Honduran qualification. After growing up in Mexico, he joined Polish side Belchatow and now plays in Romania with Vaslui after a brief loan spell with Birmingham.

Amado Guevara (Motagua) He will be 34 when the World Cup opens but the man who has won more than 130 caps for his country will still be an integral part of the Honduras midfield. The highlight of his career was unquestionably leading Honduras to the semi-finals of the Copa America in 2001, beating Brazil along the way.

The Coach

Reinaldo Rueda A former university professor with a masters degree in physical education, Rueda never played professionally in his native Colombia but made his name with their national youth teams. Before qualifying Honduras for South Africa the highlight of his career was overseeing Colombia’s third-place finish in the World Youth Championships seven years ago. He was promoted to manage the senior team but, despite a good showing in the Copa America, Colombia’s failure to qualify for the last World Cup in Germany led to his dismissal. However, Colombia’s loss proved Honduras’ gain.

Honours

World Cup: Group stages 1982.
Copa America: Semi-finalists 2001.
Concacaf Gold Cup: Finalists 1991. Semi-finalists 2005, 2009.

Analysis

They may be ageing, they may be shaky defensively but Honduras are not makeweights. Their forward line may be long in the tooth but as Mexico discovered twice in qualification, they have the ability to surprise. Although naturally, much depends on their encounter with Switzerland in Bloemfontein, their opening fixture against Chile in Nelspruit might provide an upset. They have faced and frightened Spain before in a World Cup but this is a far better Spanish side than the one that hosted the tournament in 1982. It is, however, difficult but not impossible to see them going through.

Verdict

Squad (2/5)
Held together remarkably well in qualification but will it withstand the greater pressures of the greatest football show on earth?

Coach (3/5)
A quiet and impressive disciplinarian who has stamped his mark on a group of players who have talent but occasionally lack cohesiveness.

Attack (2.5/5)
Had they been a few years younger, Honduras might have been a very impressive forward outfit but time is beginning to take its toll.

Defence (1.5/5)
A great weakness with players either out of contract, playing in the Chinese second division or in Honduras’ own, under-strength domestic league.