Swiss confident of progress
Giant killers Switzerland go into their final group clash knowing a win by two clear goals against Honduras would seal a place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
The Swiss, sunk 1-0 by Chile on Monday, could also progress with a narrow win or a draw in Bloemfontein, depending on the result of Friday's other game in Group H between Spain and Chile.
Chile have a maximum six points, with Spain and Switzerland both on three points. Honduras, appearing in only their second World Cup finals, are yet to get off the mark.
Chile have a goal difference of plus two, with Spain on plus one and the Swiss on zero.
The Swiss began the tournament in South Africa in style, shocking the European champions 1-0 in their opener before slipping to defeat to Chile.
In that game they were reduced to 10 men with coach Ottmar Hitzfeld laying the blame for midfielder Valon Behrami's red card firmly at the door of Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal.
Hitzfeld said he would target the Honduras defence at the Free State stadium and would set his team up to play in a more attacking style than in the Spain game.
Hitzfeld refused to say what his line-up would be although he will definitely be without Behrami after his sending off.
But despite the loss of the West Ham midfielder, Hitzfeld remained upbeat about their chances.
"We still have an excellent chance of qualifying, I'm sure if we beat Honduras we'll go through," he said.
Switzerland, who reached the knockout phase in Germany in 2006, will be looking to all-time top goalscorer Alexander Frei to lead from the front as they go in search of the goals they need.
Captain Frei was forced to sit out the Spain win after suffering an ankle injury four hours before his team boarded the plane for South Africa but started against Chile.
Honduras themselves are not out of the reckoning mathematically speaking, although qualification for the central American minnows would be a tall order, with a goal difference of minus three.
If Chile beat Spain in Pretoria and Honduras beat Switzerland, Chile will take top spot and goal difference will decide which of the other three teams takes second place.
Comments