World Cup Group H preview: Switzerland v Honduras
Switzerland and Honduras must win if they want to stand a chance of qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup.
A win for the Swiss by two clear goals will guarantee their place, while Honduras can qualify if Spain lose and a five-goal swing goes in their favour. Highly unlikely for Honduras, but not impossible.
Switzerland began their group campaign brilliantly, pulling off a shock 1-0 win over pre-tournament favourites Spain. In their last match, they had to battle hard against a very attacking Chile side with 10 men after Valon Behrami’s dismissal. They lost that match 1-0 and could have lost by more.
Swiss defender Steve von Bergen believes his side can win the match against Honduras. “We are angry at the moment but we are still in with a great chance, provided we beat Honduras. We were completely thrown by the red card against Chile. We let ourselves be pressed too far back at the start, although we went out there intending to attack. It is hard work with 10 men,” said Von Bergen.
Manager Ottmar Hitzfeld is a man who has experienced great things. One of only three men to win the Champions League with two different clubs - twice world coach of the year and a winner of 18 major titles - the German is experienced enough to cope with the pressure, and has his team tactically ready for their big match. “Switzerland are not favourites, it will be Chile [to top the group]. Against Honduras the Chileans were unbelievable and they could have won 3-0 or 4-0 instead of 1-0. They are a solid unit with very fast players. In terms of strategy we will have to be even more compact than we were against Spain,” said the 61-year-old.
Honduras, amazingly, could still advance from the group. Already with two defeats and without a single goal scored, they head into this match looking for their first World Cup victory.
It’s looking like Honduras will exit the tournament, but coach Reinaldo Rueda wants his team to try and restore some pride. “We must go out to win, and dignity must emerge. We must take into account that we still mathematically have a faint hope of qualifying,” said Rueda.
Many had predicted the central American side would be one of the surprises at this World Cup.
Saudi Arabia, China and this year Algeria were the last teams to go out of the World Cup without scoring a goal and accumulating a point in 2002. Honduras will join them if they lose and fail to score.
The Swiss obtained the record for the longest run without conceding a goal at the World Cup when they passed the 67-minute mark against Chile.
Qualification to the next round would be a bigger feat for the Swiss if they take a likely three points.
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