This will be Honduras second World Cup and they will be hoping to make a lasting impression in the tournament. Head Coach Reinaldo Rueda is no under pressure to get Honduras into the latter stages of the tournament so that should allow his team to play with freedom and look to take a major scalp as lesser nations have done in the past. Rueda has experience as a Coach as he has also managed Colombia at U-20 level and full international level. He has at his disposal some well known Premier League players and other players who spring a surprise or two.
In goal Rueda can call upon an experienced shot stopper in Noel Valladares who has over 70 caps to his name. He plies his trade in Honduras for Olimpia and has a good reputation in Central America as a reliable goalkeeper. Honduras will need him to be at the top of his game if they are to force an unlikely challenge for a place in the second round. Ricardo Canales and Donis Escober will be fighting it out for a place on the bench to acts as Valladares’ deputy.
Much will be expected of Wigan Athletic’s Maynor Figueroa as he is likely to start at left back Rueda’s side. He has proved over the last few years at Wigan he is a solid left-back who can also get forward to provide another option for his team in the final third of the pitch. Filling the other full-back spot will be Sergio Mendoza who also plies his traded in his native land with Motagua. He will severely tested in the tournament and will have to cope against some of the best wingers in the world. Filling the centre-back slots will be Anderlecht’s V
