EXPECTATIONS
The Government declared a national holiday when Honduras qualified for their second successive World Cup and while there is genuine optimism they can get through the group stages, they face a difficult task progressing to the second round.
Honduras are one of the lowest-ranked teams that qualified but they will be no pushovers in Brazil. They drew 0-0 with Switzerland in South Africa four years ago and are a well-organised side that will make life difficult for their opponents.
They have a number of players who helped Honduras reach the quarter-finals at the London Olympics, where they beat Spain along the way, and the likes of Maynor Figueroa, Wilson Palacios and Roger Espinoza have Premier League experience.
They have never won a game at two previous World Cups (1982 and 2010) and a victory in Brazil would represent success.
COACH
Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez has made a huge impact since taking over in 2011. The 54-year-old has turned Honduras into a workmanlike unit whose main focus is to nullify the opposition’s threat.
He was manager of the Ecuador team who beat Poland 2-0 at the 2006 World Cup and is hoping to cause a similar upset this summer.
STARS
The forward partnership of Jerry Bengtson and Carlo Costly will be crucial to Honduras’s chances. Costly spent six months on loan at Birmingham in 2009 and his goals were crucial as Honduras finished behind the United States and Costa Rica in the North, Central America and Caribbean qualifying group.
TACTICS
Expect lots of tackling and not much flair. Honduras play a 4-4-2 formation and will look to stifle opponents.
