Switzerland v Honduras full time report
Switzerland 0 Honduras 0
Both Switzerland and Honduras are out of the World Cup after playing out a desperately poor goalless draw in Bloemfontein.
Neither side were able to break down the other, and chances were at a premium.
Eren Derdiyok missed a free header from a Tranquillo Barnetta cross in the first half, a feat that Honduras’ David Suazo matched with an arguably even simpler chance from Edgar Álvarez’ delivery early in the second half.
The game was stretched in the closing stages, but neither side were good enough to take advantage of the openings they created, with Honduras’ Georgie Welcome and Switzerland’s Hakan Yakin both going close.
In truth, the World Cup won’t miss these two sides after such a poor display.
It was a slow Swiss start, but captain Gökhan Inler dragged a left footed effort wide, before an onrushing Suazo was denied by quick work from goalkeeper Diego Benaglio at the other end.
Derdiyok should have done better with a free header from a Barnetta cross, before Barnetta’s effort from long range was comfortably saved by Noel Valladares.
Right back Stephan Lichtsteiner was a constant thorn in the Honduran side in the first half, but he wasn’t helped by many of his team-mates, and Swiss boss Ottmar Hitzfeld chose to replace Gelson Fernandes with the more attack-minded veteran Yakin at half time.
The second half was held up by several minutes after a clash of heads between Swiss centre back Stéphane Grichting – who was briefly unconscious (as presumably were the crowd) – and Suazo, who then missed a glorious headed opportunity from a superb Álvarez cross.
Back at the other end, Barnetta produced a tame effort when well placed, before Derdiyok drove a shot straight at Valladares from the edge of the area.
Honduras were starting to discover an attacking threat though, and it took one of the saves of the tournament from Benaglio to deny Álvarez what looked like a certain goal following a break led by Suazo.
Switzerland’s record goalscorer Alexander Frei was summoned from the bench in a bid to inspire the Europeans, and he soon hit an effort over following an error from Valladares, before stretching to turn over a Yakin free kick from close range.
The game was hugely stretched in the closing stages, but poor decisions from both sides failed to make the most of several openings.
Both bow out, and there will be few tears outside of Switzerland and Honduras.
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