Arriba Honduras!!

May 6, 2010

With just 36 days to go until the big kick off, and the domestic season winding to a close, football fans around the World are holding there collective breath, praying to the Footballing God’s that their Star players avoid a hamstring tear, a thigh strain or worst of all, the cursed metetarsal break, as their gaze inevitably turns towards South Africa and the kick off of the biggest, most vibrant sporting event on the Planet.

The mouth waters and the senses tingle at the the thought of Messi, Drogba, Torres, Ronaldo, Rooney et al, performing at the peak of the powers on the Worlds biggest stage, but what about footballs lesser known names? Who’s the team during the 2010 World Cup, who will tear up the form book and emerge from the shadows of the big boys to eat at the top table. Every World Cup throws them up, who can forget Roger Milla and Cameroon in Italia 90, the combined exploits of Bulgaria and Sweden in USA 1994, Croatia in France 1998, and the glorious progression of Turkey and South Korea in 2002?? Will an African team finally fulfill their potential on their own Continent, will one of he lesser known European teams, Denmark, Slovakia, Serbia, produce their undoubted technical ability under the World’s glare or will the CONCAF region throw up a surprise in the shape of USA or Mexico?? Well possibly, but here’s another team to consider when it comes to upsetting the apple cart, let me introduce you to “Los Catrachos” - HONDURAS.

Little known outside of the CONCAF region, Honduras have a combination of raw, physical power and fine technique and boy do they take their football seriously - The Football War started after they lost a qualifying game for the 1970 World Cup against El Salvador. Currently ranked 40th in the World by FIFA, they beat a highly fancied Mexican team in qualifying and can boast of eliminating Brazil from the 2001 Copa America (not many teams in National football can claim to have knocked Brazil out of a major tournament). With a cool combination of home-grown power, raw talent and overseas polish, the Hondurans – led by ace tactician Reinaldo Rueda – are fancying their chances up against the big boys later this year. With established Premiership stars in Wilson Palacios, Maynor Figueroa and Hendry Thomas, who can blame them for being so confident, especially when you add into this the outrageous talent of Inter Milan’s David Suazo (although there is currently a question mark over Suazo’s inclusion in the final World Cup squad, due to injury), and the experience and proven goalscoring exploits of Carlos Pavon. In a group that includes the World Cup favourites - Spain, as well as Chile and Switzerland, the Honduran’s face an uphill struggle, but if there one previous World Cup experience (spain ‘82), is anything to go on, when they took a point from the hosts in the Group Stages, then who knows, lightening may strike twice.

At Odd’s of 33/1 to win their group and 1000/1 to win the tournament, the Honduran’s may not be an attractive bet, but there’s a lot more value in odd’s of 9/2 and 4/1 to beat Chile and Switzerland respectively. For those of you convinced by the underrated talents of the Honduran’s, then why not back them to beat Spain at 20/1, or have a punt on David Suazo winning the Golden Boot at a mere 175/1. Personally for me, in a Group where 2nd place is very much up for grabs, 7/1 to finish 2nd in Group H is very appealing indeed.

June 16, 2010

2010 World Cup

Nelspruit,