Switzerland’s midfielder Valon Behrami (cenre) fools around with teammates during a training session at the Municipal Stadium in Porto Seguro yesterday. (AFP)
AFP/Manaus, Brazil
Switzerland have a chance to put right their dramatic failure of 2010 today when they again face bogey team Honduras for a place in the World Cup knock-outs.
The situation is eerily similar to four years ago, when the Swiss were in contention for the last 16 but missed out when they drew their last group game with the Central American minnows. This time around, having scaled the FIFA rankings to a dizzying sixth place, expectations are high for Ottmar Hitzfeld’s respected side.
But confidence was hit in last week’s 5-2 rout by France. Meanwhile, Honduras broke a 32-year World Cup finals goal drought in their 2-1 loss to Ecuador. Midfielder Blerim Dzemaili said Switzerland would be taking nothing for granted when they face the Central Americans in steamy Manaus.
“Everyone can nurture big dreams, but first we have to do a little homework and that is to beat Honduras,” said the 28-year-old. “We have seen that the big teams just relying on individuals are quickly eliminated, which little Switzerland can’t afford.
“We have to give our all together, like we did against France, but we also had some bad luck after they scored their early goals.”
Switzerland needed a late winner to beat Ecuador 2-1 in their first game, and then they were swamped by France before responding with two goals of their own in the final minutes.
Switzerland currently trail Ecuador on goal difference. If France beat Ecuador, Switzerland need only a point from Honduras to qualify.
But if Ecuador win Switzerland must better their rivals result to advance. Honduras, who have not made it out of the group stage in two previous attempts, still have a slim chance of qualifying despite their 3-0 and 2-1 defeats to France and Ecuador respectively.
Los Catrachos will need an avalanche of goals against the Swiss, and hope that France beat Ecuador in Group E’s other final game, to make it to the knock-outs.
But they have been buoyed by lifting their goal “curse” courtesy of striker Carlos Costly—who wasn’t even born when Honduras last scored at a World Cup.
Their previous goal was in 1982, when Costly’s father Allan represented Honduras and Eduardo Laing netted in a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland.
“I was so happy when I scored that goal, because 32 years is a long time and a difficult barrier to overcome,” Costly, 31, said. “That myth, that curse which has been hanging over us for so long, has been laid to rest now.”
Factbox: Honduras vs Switzerland:
Where: The Amazonia arena,
Manaus, Capacity: 39,118
Probable teams:
Honduras: 18-Noel Valladares; 21-Brayan Beckeles; 5-Victor
Bernardez; 3-Maynor Figueroa; 7-Emilio Izaguirre; 20-Jorge Claros; 19-Luis Garrido; 8-Wilson Palacios; 15-Roger Espinoza; 11-Jerry Bengtson; 13-Carlo Costly
Switzerland: 1-Diego Benaglio; 2-Stephan Lichtsteiner; 20-Johan Djourou; 4-Philippe Senderos; 13-Ricardo Rodriguez; 11-Valon Behrami; 8-Gokhan Inler; 23-Xherdan Shaqiri; 10-Granit Xhaka; 18-Admir Mehmedi; 9-Haris Seferovic
Key stats:
Switzerland will qualify for the second round if they draw with
Honduras and France beat Ecuador.
The Swiss last qualified from the group stage in 2006 but lost in the second round to Ukraine.
Honduras need a win to have any chance of reaching the second round. They must beat the Swiss and hope France defeat Ecuador while also needing enough goals to be scored in both matches to turn around a minus four goal difference with the Ecuadoreans.
Switzerland are undefeated against CONCACAF teams, having earned one victory and two draws.