Ecuador meets Honduras in their second World Cup Group E match on Friday. The game, which will be played at the Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, has a few ironies as Honduras coach Luis Fernando Suarez previously coached Ecuador in 2006 to a last 16 exit in Germany. To make matters even more interesting Ecuador are coached by Reinaldo Rueda who took Honduras to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, however the team failed to make it into the knockout rounds. Needless to say, both managers -- who to make matters almost laughable are both Colombians -- know the opposition through and through. Both teams will vie for all three points, as a loss here almost certainly guarentees elimination in a tough group that includes France and Switzerland.
Ecuador come into the match having conceded a late winner to Switzerland in their opening match. Striker Enner Valencia headed the Ecuadorians in front of the Swiss in the 22nd minute in Brasilia, but their frailty in defense showed late on as they gave up a 93rd minute goal to Haris Seferovic. Coach Rueda will look for wingers Jefferson Montero and Antonio Valencia to be the main attacking forces, although his bigger concerns are at the back. That said, Ecuador will fancy their chances of coming out on top and eliminating Honduras from the tournament.
Honduras come into this match deflated after a poor showing against France which they lost 3-0. The Hondurans failed to possess the ball at all against a very strong French side which will most likely win the group. This is Honduras's third World Cup appearance and they have yet to win a game. The team, ranked 33rd in the FIFA standings, played more than half its game against France down a man after Stoke City midfielder Wilson Palacios received a red card; Palacios will be suspended for the match. Honduras will look to MLS based winger Andy Najar to be their main creative force, although the young player struggled to create very much against a resiliant French defense.
This game will be won or lost in the midfield. Both teams need all three points if they wish to have a chance to escape this rather difficult pairing with more dominant European sides, but as neither team has very strong defenses, look for this game to be open and attacking. And although the coaching familiarity will probably form very capable pre-match game plans, it is the execution of those plans that will decide the winner of this match and possibly the second qualifier from this group.
© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
