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World Cup 2010 Know Your Rivals: Group H - Ask the commentators for the state of the nation
Join us for another KYR instalment...
28 Jan 2010 02:00:00
By Ewan Macdonald
Welcome to Goal.com - Know Your Rivals for the World Cup 2010!
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
This week in Group H we ask leading pundits and commentators from each of our four countries - Spain, Honduras, Switzerland, and Chile - for their opinions on the 'State of the Nation'. Want to know more? Read on...
SPAIN
With Juan Lirman
Goal.com's Juan Lirman spoke to Guillermo Uzquiano, Canal Plus' Spain commentator and a renowned expert on South American football...
What to make of the three opposition teams?
Guillermo told Goal.com that Spain had especially better watch out for Chile. He said: "In the form of Humberto Suazo they have the top striker of the entire CONMEBOL qualification, and they also have players with great touch and skill such as Alexis Sanchez, Matias Fernandez and Jorge Valdivia, and a very quick winger in Mark Gonzalez. But, mainly, Chile's key factor is their coach: Marcelo Bielsa. He controls everything about the team, he's very meticulous and knows exactly how to get 100 per cent out of his players. He had no luck at all while training in Spain at Espanyol, but before that he was national champion both with Velez and Newell's. He wants revenge in South Africa 2010 after the failure in 2002 with his home country, Argentina.
About Switzerland, he added: "Suiza did well to qualify but their presence is a bit misleading because as they had maybe the weakest group of all in the UEFA zone. Swiss youth teams have been outstanding, but the senior team has never managed anything important and does not represent today a significant danger to Spain. As a rival, we can beat them."
And finally he focused on Honduras, saying: "Their main strength - unusually for a Central American team - is their physical power. Their best player is, of course, David Suazo, the on-loan Genoa forward having great experience in Europe. Suazo is a good example of a player with that strength and power. Some other Honduras players have found their niche in the Premier league, and it fits very well with them. Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios have improved much in England and will be a danger in South Africa."
Which player would be the main threat to Spain?
Guillermo says: "Assuming that Chile are the most complicated opponents on paper that will face Spain, I think that any of their good players can be considered the most dangerous. Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez if they are in top form are ones to watch. If I could choose only one, perhaps Humberto 'Chupete' Suazo. Suazo is a very good striker, he knows how to score, and he knows how to take advantage of his skills and strengths. He showed that in Mexico, where he played a key role for Monterrey in their winning the national championships last December. He's an under-rated Chilean hero.
Spain in full flight
HONDURAS
With Marco Aguilar
Honduran commentator Salvador Nasralla says to Goal.com's Marco Aguilar: "If we beat Chile, we will qualify for the next stage." Nasralla, one of the most famous television presenters in the whole CONCACAF zone, gives his point of view of Honduras, Group H and the World Cup in South Africa...
"Group H is not easy, but neither is it the toughest. Therefore Honduras can potentially manage something important in this World Cup," said Nasralla exclusively to Goal.com.
In his view, the mach against Chile will be crucial to Honduras' hopes of reaching the next phase. "The game against Chile is critical to Honduras. If we lose we are out, but if we win I'm sure that we'll qualify. After Spain the Chileans are the favorite to qualify for the next stage, but I think our squad has enough about it to counter their threats," he continued.
On the last game against Switzerland, Salvador said: "Let's not look that far ahead. It all depends on the first result against Chile, as if we lose that the rest is a formality."
For Nasralla, the players who will cause the most problems in this group are Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta of Spain. And of all the 32 teams, he has his eyes on Lionel Messi. "He is the star to shine after all he has managed in recent times," he said.
Nasralla finished by looking at the tournament as a whole and citing his favourite for the World Cup. "Generally it will be the ones who were strong in 2006, but not entirely. I see strength in Brazil, Germany and Italy but also Spain. La Roja must demonstrate their potential and do what they have never done, and that's never easy," he concluded.
Salvador Nasralla
CHILE
With Nacho Briso
Goal.com's man in Chile, Nacho Briso, has conducted an interview with top commentator Francisco 'Pancho' Sagredo...
What can we realistically expect from your country at the World Cup?
"I hope that the same squad that proved to be so offensive and powerful in the South American qualification can maintain this style of play. We must be a team that always thinks about how to attack the rival from the beginning of the matches. In terms of expectations, we believe that we can pass to the next round without too many problems."
What are the expectation levels on the ground at home?
"The people in Chile have big hopes for the team. Perhaps the expectations are too great, based on the revolution of Bielsa, on results obtained abroad, and of course our historic victories against Argentina. Of course those achievements have raised expectations, but let's be realistic: we have not won a match in a World Cup since 1962. That is our reality."
Humberto Suazo, celebrating as usual
SWITZERLAND
With Stefan Bokor
Goal.com's Swiss expert, Stefan Bokor, spoke to Rainer Maria Salzgeber, Switzerland's top football commentator. This award-winning commentator became the voice of a nation as he guided the country through the presentation of Euro 2008. Today he offers his thoughts on the World Cup...
Stefan Bokor (SB): As we approach the World Cup, can you already feel the euphoria? Are the preparations already underway at the television station?
Rainer Maria Salzgeber (RS): You can't sense the euphoria just yet – but it will still come before the start of the World Cup. The preparations have been made, although we have a very intensive period coming up with the Olympic Games, daily business, invitations for our guests in the studio and delegating the moderation between our journalists. So it's definitely a stressful time at the moment. Of course, we are all awaiting the World Cup as well.
SB: Are there differences between EURO 2008 in Switzerland and World Cup 2010 in South Africa?
RS: Of course there are. The EURO 2008 tournament was the country's most historic football moment and also for us from Swiss TV. Programming was especially adjusted to cover the tournament as the euphoria and emotions were high. The preparations had started well in advance in a highly professional way, meaning that the coverage was much higher than we will have in South Africa. The World Cup is still not burning on the 'hot fire', but it will come in time and I am sure it will be a superb World Cup for all of us.
SB: What expectations do you have in mind for yourself and the Swiss national team?
RS: It is of course much more pleasant that our own national team is participating in the World Cup. You have to take a professional stance, and still be close to all the action. There will be complete coverage of the Swiss national team, their training sessions, news, matches, and we will also have interviews with players and coaches. We are at the moment in the process of deciding who will take which jobs, and all the duties are taken very seriously. The expectations from our TV audiences are very high, but we will surely fulfil them. Our priorities will be covering the Swiss national team of course, but we will also feature other teams and superstars. The World Cup should be a success.
Swiss fans still remember Euro 2008 fondly
SB: The majority of the Swiss supporters are happy with the final draw. How do you see the whole situation and what are Switzerland's chances at the World Cup?
RS: We have in our group the No. 1 team in the world (Spain), followed by one side which is a little ahead of us (Chile), and a Honduras squad which is unknown but not to be underrated. You can't talk about a lucky draw, it would be disrespectful, but of course it could have been worse. It is definitely a manageable group for Switzerland and I have no doubts about reaching the next round.
Still in with a chance
SB: You commentated at World Cup 2006 and at EURO 2008 you were 'the man' on the TV. How do you see the development of the Swiss national team?
RS: The team had already showed qualities at the World Cup in 2006 to progress to the quarter-finals, but didn’t have enough experience. The World Cup in Germany was surely good, but now everybody wants more, because all of the players have much more experience now. The tactics and the coach have changed, which is an important piece of the puzzle. Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the best coaches in the world. He is a classy man, very likeable, very calm and he has definitely a strong hold over the team. I like his style and he justifies everything he is asking for. He knows whom he should set up and mobilise, he has the last word in the team. That’s the main difference between the team's form in 2006 and 2008. With the experience and quality, which they already had, they could go very far. The team spirit must be good as well.
SB: Who do you see as the key player in the team?
RS: In the past the word 'key player' was overused, and nowadays it is not something that I find right. The whole package must be good; one man can do maybe a lot, but can't play against eleven people. Especially Switzerland, which doesn’t have any superstars, must keep together in order to be able to play world-class football. For me the key player is the whole squad. In England you could maybe mention Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, for France Franck Ribery or for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo, however that does not keep the whole team together. Spain has a lot of superstars like for example Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Fernando Torres. If they would have played for themselves, Spain would have never been the EURO champions. Football is a collective game, and should be played like that.
SB: And last but not least, your advice for the Swiss team?
RS: Wait a second; I made a calculation (laughs)! Switzerland loses tight or even picks up a draw against Spain while Chile wins over Honduras. In the second game Switzerland wins over Honduras and Spain over Chile and they are in the second round. Then we only need Switzerland to draw with Chile and Brazil will have a mishap in the quarter-finals and will meet Switzerland (laughs).
In this special series we bring you the local knowledge of the world's leading football tournament. With our worldwide team of experts, each one based in the country in question - from Brazil to North Korea - you'll hear first-hand the latest team news, exclusive interviews, and fan opinions of your World Cup opponents.
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This week in Group H we ask leading pundits and commentators from each of our four countries - Spain, Honduras, Switzerland, and Chile - for their opinions on the 'State of the Nation'. Want to know more? Read on...
SPAIN
With Juan Lirman
Goal.com's Juan Lirman spoke to Guillermo Uzquiano, Canal Plus' Spain commentator and a renowned expert on South American football...
What to make of the three opposition teams?
Guillermo told Goal.com that Spain had especially better watch out for Chile. He said: "In the form of Humberto Suazo they have the top striker of the entire CONMEBOL qualification, and they also have players with great touch and skill such as Alexis Sanchez, Matias Fernandez and Jorge Valdivia, and a very quick winger in Mark Gonzalez. But, mainly, Chile's key factor is their coach: Marcelo Bielsa. He controls everything about the team, he's very meticulous and knows exactly how to get 100 per cent out of his players. He had no luck at all while training in Spain at Espanyol, but before that he was national champion both with Velez and Newell's. He wants revenge in South Africa 2010 after the failure in 2002 with his home country, Argentina.
About Switzerland, he added: "Suiza did well to qualify but their presence is a bit misleading because as they had maybe the weakest group of all in the UEFA zone. Swiss youth teams have been outstanding, but the senior team has never managed anything important and does not represent today a significant danger to Spain. As a rival, we can beat them."
And finally he focused on Honduras, saying: "Their main strength - unusually for a Central American team - is their physical power. Their best player is, of course, David Suazo, the on-loan Genoa forward having great experience in Europe. Suazo is a good example of a player with that strength and power. Some other Honduras players have found their niche in the Premier league, and it fits very well with them. Maynor Figueroa and Wilson Palacios have improved much in England and will be a danger in South Africa."
Which player would be the main threat to Spain?
Guillermo says: "Assuming that Chile are the most complicated opponents on paper that will face Spain, I think that any of their good players can be considered the most dangerous. Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez if they are in top form are ones to watch. If I could choose only one, perhaps Humberto 'Chupete' Suazo. Suazo is a very good striker, he knows how to score, and he knows how to take advantage of his skills and strengths. He showed that in Mexico, where he played a key role for Monterrey in their winning the national championships last December. He's an under-rated Chilean hero.
Spain in full flight
HONDURAS
With Marco Aguilar
Honduran commentator Salvador Nasralla says to Goal.com's Marco Aguilar: "If we beat Chile, we will qualify for the next stage." Nasralla, one of the most famous television presenters in the whole CONCACAF zone, gives his point of view of Honduras, Group H and the World Cup in South Africa...
"Group H is not easy, but neither is it the toughest. Therefore Honduras can potentially manage something important in this World Cup," said Nasralla exclusively to Goal.com.
In his view, the mach against Chile will be crucial to Honduras' hopes of reaching the next phase. "The game against Chile is critical to Honduras. If we lose we are out, but if we win I'm sure that we'll qualify. After Spain the Chileans are the favorite to qualify for the next stage, but I think our squad has enough about it to counter their threats," he continued.
On the last game against Switzerland, Salvador said: "Let's not look that far ahead. It all depends on the first result against Chile, as if we lose that the rest is a formality."
For Nasralla, the players who will cause the most problems in this group are Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta of Spain. And of all the 32 teams, he has his eyes on Lionel Messi. "He is the star to shine after all he has managed in recent times," he said.
Nasralla finished by looking at the tournament as a whole and citing his favourite for the World Cup. "Generally it will be the ones who were strong in 2006, but not entirely. I see strength in Brazil, Germany and Italy but also Spain. La Roja must demonstrate their potential and do what they have never done, and that's never easy," he concluded.
Salvador Nasralla
CHILE
With Nacho Briso
Goal.com's man in Chile, Nacho Briso, has conducted an interview with top commentator Francisco 'Pancho' Sagredo...
What can we realistically expect from your country at the World Cup?
"I hope that the same squad that proved to be so offensive and powerful in the South American qualification can maintain this style of play. We must be a team that always thinks about how to attack the rival from the beginning of the matches. In terms of expectations, we believe that we can pass to the next round without too many problems."
What are the expectation levels on the ground at home?
"The people in Chile have big hopes for the team. Perhaps the expectations are too great, based on the revolution of Bielsa, on results obtained abroad, and of course our historic victories against Argentina. Of course those achievements have raised expectations, but let's be realistic: we have not won a match in a World Cup since 1962. That is our reality."
Humberto Suazo, celebrating as usual
SWITZERLAND
With Stefan Bokor
Goal.com's Swiss expert, Stefan Bokor, spoke to Rainer Maria Salzgeber, Switzerland's top football commentator. This award-winning commentator became the voice of a nation as he guided the country through the presentation of Euro 2008. Today he offers his thoughts on the World Cup...
Stefan Bokor (SB): As we approach the World Cup, can you already feel the euphoria? Are the preparations already underway at the television station?
Rainer Maria Salzgeber (RS): You can't sense the euphoria just yet – but it will still come before the start of the World Cup. The preparations have been made, although we have a very intensive period coming up with the Olympic Games, daily business, invitations for our guests in the studio and delegating the moderation between our journalists. So it's definitely a stressful time at the moment. Of course, we are all awaiting the World Cup as well.
SB: Are there differences between EURO 2008 in Switzerland and World Cup 2010 in South Africa?
RS: Of course there are. The EURO 2008 tournament was the country's most historic football moment and also for us from Swiss TV. Programming was especially adjusted to cover the tournament as the euphoria and emotions were high. The preparations had started well in advance in a highly professional way, meaning that the coverage was much higher than we will have in South Africa. The World Cup is still not burning on the 'hot fire', but it will come in time and I am sure it will be a superb World Cup for all of us.
SB: What expectations do you have in mind for yourself and the Swiss national team?
RS: It is of course much more pleasant that our own national team is participating in the World Cup. You have to take a professional stance, and still be close to all the action. There will be complete coverage of the Swiss national team, their training sessions, news, matches, and we will also have interviews with players and coaches. We are at the moment in the process of deciding who will take which jobs, and all the duties are taken very seriously. The expectations from our TV audiences are very high, but we will surely fulfil them. Our priorities will be covering the Swiss national team of course, but we will also feature other teams and superstars. The World Cup should be a success.
Swiss fans still remember Euro 2008 fondly
SB: The majority of the Swiss supporters are happy with the final draw. How do you see the whole situation and what are Switzerland's chances at the World Cup?
RS: We have in our group the No. 1 team in the world (Spain), followed by one side which is a little ahead of us (Chile), and a Honduras squad which is unknown but not to be underrated. You can't talk about a lucky draw, it would be disrespectful, but of course it could have been worse. It is definitely a manageable group for Switzerland and I have no doubts about reaching the next round.
Still in with a chance
SB: You commentated at World Cup 2006 and at EURO 2008 you were 'the man' on the TV. How do you see the development of the Swiss national team?
RS: The team had already showed qualities at the World Cup in 2006 to progress to the quarter-finals, but didn’t have enough experience. The World Cup in Germany was surely good, but now everybody wants more, because all of the players have much more experience now. The tactics and the coach have changed, which is an important piece of the puzzle. Ottmar Hitzfeld is one of the best coaches in the world. He is a classy man, very likeable, very calm and he has definitely a strong hold over the team. I like his style and he justifies everything he is asking for. He knows whom he should set up and mobilise, he has the last word in the team. That’s the main difference between the team's form in 2006 and 2008. With the experience and quality, which they already had, they could go very far. The team spirit must be good as well.
SB: Who do you see as the key player in the team?
RS: In the past the word 'key player' was overused, and nowadays it is not something that I find right. The whole package must be good; one man can do maybe a lot, but can't play against eleven people. Especially Switzerland, which doesn’t have any superstars, must keep together in order to be able to play world-class football. For me the key player is the whole squad. In England you could maybe mention Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, for France Franck Ribery or for Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo, however that does not keep the whole team together. Spain has a lot of superstars like for example Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Fernando Torres. If they would have played for themselves, Spain would have never been the EURO champions. Football is a collective game, and should be played like that.
SB: And last but not least, your advice for the Swiss team?
RS: Wait a second; I made a calculation (laughs)! Switzerland loses tight or even picks up a draw against Spain while Chile wins over Honduras. In the second game Switzerland wins over Honduras and Spain over Chile and they are in the second round. Then we only need Switzerland to draw with Chile and Brazil will have a mishap in the quarter-finals and will meet Switzerland (laughs).
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
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