World Cup Team Profiles: Group H: Honduras

Teams / Ari Last / 15 March 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

They share the same price to win the tournament as North Korea and New Zealand, but Honduras go to South Africa believing they can make the second round...

They have little tournament pedigree and boast no world class players, but the [5.2] on Honduras to qualify from an ordinary-looking Group H (aside from Spain) has to be seen as great value. They beat Mexico in qualifying and posses some decent European-based players, and although they are at [1000] to win the tournament, they have enough about them to give Switzerland and Chile a run for their money.

Nation: Honduras

Also known as...
'Los Catrachos'

Route to South Africa...
They overcame Puerto Rico comfortably in the first round of qualifying before navigating a successful path in the second phase, finishing ahead of the likes of Jamaica, Canada and Mexico.

The drama arrived in the final phase, when despite winning 1-0 in El Salvador in their final match, Honduras were looking set to miss out on qualification. This was until the USA snatched an equalizer away to Costa Rica, which sent Los Catrachos through to South Africa.

World Cup Pedigree...
2010 will be Honduras' second appearance in a World Cup, having partaken in Spain in 1982.
Their efforts that year were notable, having picked up 1-1 draws with Northern Ireland and the hosts. However their dream was ended in their third and final group game, when a late Yugoslavian goal sent them packing.

They'll be relying on...
The grit of Wilson Palacios and the predatory instincts of David Suazo. These two along with Maynor Figueroa have made great strides within Europe's premier divisions, and their teammates will be looking to them to continue their good form right into the World Cup. Aside from these three, the Hondurans will be hoping that a couple of veterans will keep them on the right track. Amado Guevara is their captain and record appearance holder, while 36-year-old striker Carlos Pavon will, along with Suazo, be expected to provide the team with a cutting edge up top.

Something you may not have known is...
Honduras are the only side from Central America to have knocked South American giants Brazil out of an international tournament. It happened in the Quarter Finals of the 2001 Copa America when two Saul Martinez goals gave them a famous 2-0 win.

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