Mexico

CONCACAF WCQ Preview: Honduras vs. México

Who: Honduras vs. México
What: World Cup 2010 qualifying, CONCACAF semifinals, Group 2
When: 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET, Wednesday, November 19
Where: Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras

Nov 18, 2008 1:44:51 PM

More On : Honduras, Mexico

Mexico-Honduras: David Suazo-Pavel Pardo (Mexsport)

By César García

On the sixth and final matchday of CONCACAF semifinal round qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, both México and Honduras will define who advances to the Hexagonal final round from Group 2.

In the “Group of Death,” México is leader with 10 points, followed by Honduras with 9, Jamaica with 7, and eliminated Canada is at the bottom with 2 units. Heading into the final match of group play, the top three teams all have valid options to advance to the final round.

Don't Miss

In fact, both El Tri and Catrachos can advance to the Hexagonal with any outcome.

Of course, the best option is for a win or a tie, which would automatically guarantee their advancement; but even a defeat can send them through, depending on the outcome of the Jamaica-Canada match.

As long as Jamaica do not win and surpass them in points and in goal differential, either side will advance to the Hexagonal.

Despite the favorable scenarios, Honduras will be determined to guarantee qualification with nothing less than a home victory.

While group leaders México are resolute to uphold their primary objective of qualifying to the Hexagonal.

In the most recent match to start the semifinal group phase of qualification, El Tri overcame an early deficit with a brace by Pável Pardo to defeat Honduras 2-1 at the estadio Azteca back in August.

In an interesting side note, México lost on their last two visits to Honduras in past qualification campaigns.

Honduras
The Catrachos have everything in their favor to take the next step towards the World Cup.

Honduras will benefit from the full support of their home crowd, an unbeaten home record in qualification, and are motivated to defeat the ‘former giant’ and avenge their earlier defeat at the estadio Azteca.

In the previous match at México, Honduras played the waiting game and were determined to leave with a point from the difficult visit. They took an early lead off a perfectly executed free-kick by Julio César De León, but failed to manage the score and succumbed to El Tri and suffered a defeat.

On this occasion, the Catrachos must propose the attack in search of the favorable score to guarantee victory and depend only on themselves for qualification.

Similar to México, the Central Americans did not expect to arrive to the last matchday of group play with their qualification pending. Honduras suffered a disastrous 1-0 defeat against Jamaica in the previous match of qualification, which prevented them from advancing to the Hexagonal ahead of schedule.

The Catrachos have experienced significant growth in the past years with a good list of players that develop their club football in Europe, most notably Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figueroa from Wigan in England, and David Suazo on Benfica of Portugal.

It is always a motivation to defeat México and all of Honduras will play as one for that feat, but it is up to the players to take full advantage of their home setting and guarantee their ticket to the Hexagonal.

México
Any doubts that have been raised by Mexico’s recent poor form in qualification should not be magnified or exemplified.

The situation of El Tri is not as bad as it has been made out to be, they are Group 2 leaders and can qualify to the final round of qualification with any outcome.

They have maintained throughout the campaign that their primary objective is to simply advance to the Hexagonal any way possible.

Still, after two substandard performances and results against Jamaica and Canada, questions have been raised whether the highly billed manager Sven-Göran Eriksson and Mexico’s ‘greatest’ generation can get the job done.

The problems are generated from both areas. El Tri players are notorious for falling in an excess of confidence and not delivering maximum performances against smaller sides.

While Eriksson has left much to be desired from his formations and use of tactical strategies, since México has failed to demonstrate any improvement in those areas and at times lack offensive ideas.

However, it is also a well-known fact that México always performs and earns results when it is needed against difficult and respectable rivals, like Honduras.

Similar to the previous qualifiers, El Tri will count with their base of European-based players, including the return of midfield stalwart and free-kick specialist Pável Pardo, whose absence in the past two matches was greatly felt.

Add to the ‘Europeans’ the domestic Mexican league players, and you have a great group of quality and experienced players that add depth and strength to all lines.

Inactive Manchester City forward, Nery Castillo, received the call-up after his performance against Ecuador convinced Eriksson, but Mexico’s hopes should not rest on the players undisputed talent and skill.

There is no doubt that Castillo can mark a difference in any encounter, but not much should be expected from him given his long period of inactivity.

Also, Chivas forward, Omar Arellano, experienced some problems with muscle fatigue and was taken out of consideration. Monterrey forward Carlos Ochoa, was notified and has since reported to join the rest of the team in concentration.

México is aware that they benefit from a number of scenarios that can earn them the qualification, but they are obligated to display an improved performance from their previous matches.

El Tri must keep in mind that they are not facing a second-string or “C” team, so they cannot completely go out and attack in search of the goal, because Honduras will be a difficult mountain to climb if they go down in the score early.

Eriksson must look at the table and his options to realize that on this occasion a win or a draw serve the same purpose, since they both guarantee qualification which is the main objective for El Tri.

Probable Starting Lineups

Honduras
Noel Valladares; Osman Chávez, Víctor Bernárdez, Maynor Figueroa, Sergio Mendoza; Wilson Palacios, Amado Guevara, Hendry Thomas, Ramón Núñez; Carlos Costly, David Suazo

Coach: Reinaldo Rueda

México
Oswaldo Sánchez; Ricardo Osorio, Rafael Márquez, Aarón Galindo, Carlos Salcido; Gerardo Torrado, Pável Pardo, Fernando Arce, Andrés Guardado; Carlos Vela, Vicente Matías Vuoso

Coach: Sven-Göran Eriksson

Prediction
At this stage of qualification, Honduras and México have not fulfilled their expectations. Still, both sides benefit from the fact that their qualification depends only on themselves and they can even negotiate on the field a result that can favor both of them.

The group leader position gives El Tri a slight advantage over the locals, but to avoid any further setbacks they must play with intelligence and display tactical order, something which has not been evident in the past matches under Eriksson. Given the difficulty of the rival and the stadium, a draw will suit México well but they must avoid going down in the score early.

For their part, Honduras cannot think of a draw and will be pressured and motivated to propose the attack and win at home, because a favorable Jamaica outcome may dash their qualification hopes.

Any scenarios or combinations must be set aside, because both national sides are fully aware that their ticket to the final round of World Cup qualification is in dispute and it would be a massive failure not to advance.

--César García covers México for Goal.com.

Follow Goal.com on Twitter

Follow Goal.com on Facebook

Thank you for your comment!

Please enter your name

Please enter your location

Please share your comment!