World Cup 2010 Group H point table : 4 possibles for final 16 Switzerland can beat Honduras
Group H is another group in the World Cup where all 4 teams have a chance to make it to the final 16. Out of Switzerland and Honduras, Swiss have a better chance of making it through, courtesy their shock first match win against the European champions Spain. Now in their final group game all they need to do is win.
But wait it’s not that simple, a win by at least a 2 goal margin will ensure their safe passage to the final 16, unless something freaky happens in the other match from the same group that is between Chile and Spain. All could have been rosy for Switzerland had they not slipped up against Chile in their 2nd group game where they suffered a 1 nil defeat.
While for Honduras it’s not that simple, they need to win at every cost but a win only will not do and even a 2 goal win is not enough, they are heavily dependent on what goes on between Spain and Chile. If Honduras do manage to win they would need Chile to beat Spain, and looking at the goal difference they would want Chile to win by at least 4 clear goals. That would take Chile and Honduras through. This is unlikely to say the least.
Looking at Switzerland their most important player has to be Alexander Frei, the striker has been more than lively in the world cup, and as Spain got to know he sure can be a headache for any defence. Spain was totally at sea against the inventive striker, his runs down the centre of the field and ability to be at the right place in the 6 yard box can be a big problem for Honduras.
In midfield Hakan Yakin is one man who holds the key, Yakin has been applying his trade with some of the biggest names in European football for years, and has the eye of an eagle when it comes to making passes in the final third. While he is also hard to break down when it comes to taking control of the midfield just in front of his defence, so in a way he plays a dual role, aiding the strikers and when needed shields the defence.
Talking about their defence Philippe Senderos is by far the most dependable player in the back 4, the former Arsenal man has been quite solid in the World Cup, and against Spain he showed that he can match it with the likes of David Villa and Torres.
Honduras meanwhile has the distinction of for the first time having 3 brothers in the same squad, Jerry Palacios, Wilson Palacios and Johnny Palacios. And how convenient it is that all 3 play in different areas of the field?
Wilson being the most accomplished of the 3 has been playing in English Premier League for a while, and is now with Tottenham Hotspurs. Wilson has proved in English football that he has an astute student of the game, when he first came to the front he was a bit careless when it came to holding on to the ball and spotting an open pass, but over the years he has been the mainstay of his team when it comes to the midfield, which truly is the most important part of midfield. Wilson has been the one dictating the game from his team, and making sure that the game plan is implemented to good effect.
Up front Walter Martinez will be the key for Honduras, the front man has not been able to score any goals for now, but will be eager to not go home without getting his name on the score sheet.
So both teams do have some influential players who can be a handful on their day, but Switzerland is more likely to progress and they are sure not to leave any stone unturned in their pursuit of the 2 goals that they need.
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