World Cup 2010 Qual. - Honduras v Puerto Rico Football betting preview

2. stage of the CONCACAF-WC 2010 Quali.

Honduras plays Puerto Rico in San Pedro Sula, first leg. Honduras is a rising power in North- and Middle-American football. The "Los Catrachos" have the most talented squad in their football history, even better than the 1982 squad, who played at the WC in Spain. If you remember, Honduras made a huge upset in world football in 2001 when they replaced Argentina at the Copa America and then beat Brazil in the QF and finished 3. Other successes are being runners-up at the Gold Cup in 1991 and qualifying for the Olympics in Sydney and Beijing. They proved their quality by beating the USA away 1-0 in the quali for the OG, although these were U23-squads. Honduras had impressive results in the last year with wins over Paraguay, Colombia, Guatemala, Ecuador and Panama. Since the Gold Cup last year the played 9 friendlies with a 6-2-1 record (4 at home, 1 away and 4 on neutral ground). Honduras best players are defenders Mendoza (Olimpia) and Figueroa (Wigan), midfielders Palacios (Wigan), de León (Genoa), captain Guevara (Toronto) and Guerrero (San Jose), forwards David Suazo (Inter) and Costly (Belchatow). Honduras´ coach is the Colombian Reinaldo Rueda. In World Ranking Honduras improved from 82 (2 years ago) to 37. This team is even for the CONCACAF power-houses USA and Mexico hard to beat. Their goal is clear, qualifying for the WC 2010. Their opponent Puerto Rico can´be a real match to them. They advanced to the second round by beating the Dominican Republic on penalties (1-1 after two legs). Before these matches they played friendlies, 2 narrow wins over Bermuda and a 2-2 draw ag. Trinidad and Tobago. Most of the Puerto Rico players are playing either for US college teams or for the Puerto Rico Islanders, in the USL First Division. Notable players are defender Velez (Toronto), midfielder Villegas (Islanders) and striker Megaloudis (NY Red Bulls).

From fifa.com: "And yet despite this high praise, the Hondurans themselves have been in cautious mood. Even after discovering that their first opponents on the road to South Africa will be Puerto Rico, who lie 125 places below in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, the Catrachos have refused to get carried away.

This could prove vital against a Puerto Rico side still unbeaten in 2008 and who will be dreaming of emulating the achievements of fellow minnows Guadeloupe, who knocked Honduras out of the last CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"We're on the right track," says Honduran defender Sergio Mendoza. "But we mustn't underestimate Puerto Rico. The gap between football teams has narrowed considerably. I don't think they're going to catch us off guard but we must always respect them." Of the same opinion is captain and national legend Amado Guevara. "We'll need to prepare properly before playing against them. It's true that they're an almost unknown quantity, but they deserve a lot of respect. We want to beat them in June to make it through the first phase." Infused by this wave of up-and-coming young talents, and brimming with confidence from their recent successes, Suazo and Co will believe that a place at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, which would be their first finals in 28 years, is not beyond their reach.

Honduras to win 3-0 or 4-0 is my call.

Pick : Honduras -1
Odds : 1.55
Stake : 10 / 10
Bookmaker : Nordic Bet
Match Result : 4-0
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