Honduras

Rank: 32 World Cup appearances: 2 (1982, 2010) Best result: Group Stages (1982, 2010) For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Top SCORERS (QUALIFYING) Jerry Bengtson (9) Did you know? In their last two World Cup appearances Honduras have never won a single match.

Honduras already holds the advantage of being familiar with the exasperating conditions of the diverse weathers around Brazil, as their home ground in San Pedro Sula has a similar sauna-like atmosphere similar to Manaus. Coming into the World Cup with an impressive record of only dropping four points at home, finishing third in the final round which saw them book the last direct qualifying spot and beating a defiant Mexico in Azteca, coach Luis Fernando Suarez's approach of rejuvenating the team by introducing young and unpredictable talents has paid off. The question now is whether this formula is enough to overcome their shambolic display in the last world cup where Los Catrachos were eliminated from the group stages without scoring a single goal.
It is easy to overlook Honduras but while they lack star power, one of their notable strengths is the unity of the team.
Suarez has introduced youth players to freshen up his side and led the under-23 squad to the quarterfinals at the 2012 Olympics.
But more recent results are not so encouraging. In a friendly in March that was supposed to be a source of national pride, Honduras eked out a 2-1 win over Venezuela, but the visitors fielded only a second-string team.
This will be their third world cup and given that they haven't managed a single win at this stage in the past, a maiden victory is on top of the agenda for the Hondurans.

STRENGTH

Physicality
Having the likes of Maynor Figueroa of Hull City, Wilson Palacios of Stoke City and Emilio Izaguirre of Celtic on their side will provide Honduras a burly hard-tackling presence at the back and in the midfield. Keeping in mind that they are in a group where the other teams' forms are unpredictable, Honduras's physical tackles can be an asset to halt build-ups from the midfield.
Determined strike force
Up-and-coming striker Bengtson has a lot to prove especially after walking out of the club for being left on the bench against Jamaica. Bengtson, who is Honduras' highest scorer throughout the qualifiers, was readmitted to the squad after apologising to his teammates and could be crucial in bagging their first win in the World Cup.

WEAKNESS

Lack of quality
Honduras lack star quality in every area, and as such, they lack any true strength in comparison to the best in the business.

ONE TO WATCH

Carlo Costly

Carlo Costly: The experienced frontman will be looking to make up for lost time after sitting out in South Africa due to injury.

Costly missed out on the last World Cup due to injury after being a key factor for qualifying. He will be looking to make up for lost opportunities and be essential upfront. The 31 year old who has 68 appearances for Honduras, scoring 30 goals for his national team, is also the most travelled and experienced one in the team having played professionally in Honduras, Mexico, Poland, England, Romania, United States, Greece and China, where he is currently plundering goals for Guizhou Xhicheng.

Coach: Luiz Fernando Suarez

This is the second World Cup appearance for coach Luiz Fernando Suarez who previously led Ecuador to the second round in the 2006 World Cup finals. Upon his appointment in March 2011 for the Honduran side, Suarez kept one eye on the country's youth football, leading their U23 team to the quarterfinals of men's football in London 2012 Olympics.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana)
Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan), Maynor Figueroa (Hull), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua)
Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids)
Strikers: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad)