Chile aims to end long jinx against Honduras
Source: Agencies |
June 16, 2010, Wednesday
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CHILE faces Honduras in its opening Group H match today on the 48th anniversary of its last World Cup victory with a golden opportunity to rid itself of an unwanted record.
It was on June 16, 1962, that Chile beat Yugoslavia in the third-place playoffs. It has since been to four World Cups and played 13 matches but failed to win any of them.
The current generation are determined to put that record straight. They finished second in the Latam group, just a point behind Brazil and five points ahead of Argentina. They start as favorites against a Honduran side missing key strikers.
"The fact that Chile haven't won a match at a World Cup for a long time, for me personally, and I think for the team as a whole, is of secondary importance," Chile defender Gonzalo Jara said. "Obviously, we know (about the record) but the first match is fundamental, above all to see how we are and to get the three points. Whether we win 3-0 or 1-0 it's the same."
Fitness
Coach Marcelo Bielsa is waiting on the fitness of leading striker Humberto Suazo, who beat the likes of Brazil's Luis Fabiano and Uruguay's Diego Forlan to finish as South America's top scorer in the qualifiers with 10 goals.
Suazo is recovering from a hamstring injury but the coach might decide to rest him for the match. Esteban Paredes is set to start in the center of a three-pronged attack.
Honduras is also waiting on an injury to striker David Suazo, who plays his football in Italy with Genoa. He picked up a knock in a warmup match against Romania on June 5 and is struggling to recover. If he cannot play, Walter Martinez could partner Carlos Pavon up front.
Suazo's injury is the latest blow to a Honduras side appearing in only its second World Cup following its debut in 1982. On the eve of the finals, its leading striker Carlos Costly broke his foot, ruling him out altogether.
"The team is not at its best right now but they'll kick off the tournament with everything they've got," said coach Reinaldo Rueda.
Since beating neighbors El Salvador 1-0 last October to secure a place in the finals Honduras has only won two games out of eight, its last victory coming in January.
It was on June 16, 1962, that Chile beat Yugoslavia in the third-place playoffs. It has since been to four World Cups and played 13 matches but failed to win any of them.
The current generation are determined to put that record straight. They finished second in the Latam group, just a point behind Brazil and five points ahead of Argentina. They start as favorites against a Honduran side missing key strikers.
"The fact that Chile haven't won a match at a World Cup for a long time, for me personally, and I think for the team as a whole, is of secondary importance," Chile defender Gonzalo Jara said. "Obviously, we know (about the record) but the first match is fundamental, above all to see how we are and to get the three points. Whether we win 3-0 or 1-0 it's the same."
Fitness
Coach Marcelo Bielsa is waiting on the fitness of leading striker Humberto Suazo, who beat the likes of Brazil's Luis Fabiano and Uruguay's Diego Forlan to finish as South America's top scorer in the qualifiers with 10 goals.
Suazo is recovering from a hamstring injury but the coach might decide to rest him for the match. Esteban Paredes is set to start in the center of a three-pronged attack.
Honduras is also waiting on an injury to striker David Suazo, who plays his football in Italy with Genoa. He picked up a knock in a warmup match against Romania on June 5 and is struggling to recover. If he cannot play, Walter Martinez could partner Carlos Pavon up front.
Suazo's injury is the latest blow to a Honduras side appearing in only its second World Cup following its debut in 1982. On the eve of the finals, its leading striker Carlos Costly broke his foot, ruling him out altogether.
"The team is not at its best right now but they'll kick off the tournament with everything they've got," said coach Reinaldo Rueda.
Since beating neighbors El Salvador 1-0 last October to secure a place in the finals Honduras has only won two games out of eight, its last victory coming in January.
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