The Great Tournament is less than a week away, we continue the breakdowns of Group H with the Central American nation of Honduras

OFFICIAL NAME: Federación Nacional Autónoma de Fútbol de Honduras



NICKNAME: Los Catrachos

FIFA CONFEDERATION: CONCACAF (Caribbean, Central & North America)

FIFA CODE: HON

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 3rd place in CONCACAF Hexagonal Final Stage

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010): 2

BEST WC FINISH: Eliminated Group Stage, Spain 1982

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses): 3: 0W - 2D - 1L

HEAD COACH: Reinaldo Rueda

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Amado Guevara (134)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Carlos Pavón (57)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
Honduras are two-time CONCACAF champions, winning continental titles in 1993 and 1995. Los Catrachos stunned the football world when they finished 3rd in the 2001 Copa América. That Honduran side stunned Brazil 2-0 in the quarterfinals and beat Uruguay to claim 3rd place and claim its greatest footballing achievement to date along with qualifying for 1982 World Cup in Spain.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
Honduras' player to watch is a defensive midfielder who will have the task of marking some of the best creative talent in the tournament. He is Hendry Thomas.
(Mexsport)
The 25-year old Wigan Athletic player will have the unenviable job of neutralizing the excellent attacking midfielders that are in this group. Thomas is half of Honduras' Wigan Athletic connection, the other is defender Maynor Figueroa. Thomas is used to playing a physical style as a member of an English Premiership side. Thomas will have to be on top form for Honduras to advance out of this group.

OUTLOOK:
Honduras under Reinaldo Rueda is a scrappy side that scratches and claws its way to victories & results. Los Catrachos don't have the attacking depth to hang with Spain and Chile so they will have to be extra tight defensively. Veteran strikers David Suazo and Carlos Pavon must finish their goal scoring opportunities if Honduras hope to advance out of the group.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Ricardo Canales (Motagua), Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia)

Defenders: Victor Bernardez (Anderlecht/Belgium), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan/England), Boniek Garcia (Olimpia), Sergio Mendoza (Motagua), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillon (Hangzhou Luchen/China), Osman Chavez (Platense)

Midfielders: Edgar Alvarez (Bari/Italy), Julio Cesar de Leon (Torino/Italy), Amado Guevara (Motagua), Ramon Nunez (Olimpia), Wilson Palacios (Tottenham/England), Hendry Thomas (Wigan/England), Danilo Turcios (Olimpia)

Forwards: David Suazo (Genoa/Italy), Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavon (Real Espana), Walter Martinez (Marathon), Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards/USA)


WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 16 vs. Chile
June 21 vs. Spain
June 25 vs. Switzerland

Group H breakdowns continue with Spain.

Honduras - WC Team Breakdown

There is lots of expectation towards Chile. Their performance in the World Cup qualifiers peaked the interest of various pundits on both sides of the ocean. For many they are the team that could make some noise and possibly give Spain the most resistance.  They could also go pretty deep into the tournament. 

Coach Marcelo Bielsa gave his list of 30 players on Tuesday and there were some mild surprises for La Roja as Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Christopher Toselli was left out of the list. The goalkeeper seemed like a shoe-in for the national team especially with his recent form of play both domestically and internationally.

The youngster instead will represent the Andeans in the Toulon tournament this summer.

Universidad de Chile midfielder Edson Puch was also left out.

Real Zaragoza striker Humberto Suazo will be part of Bielsa's plans even though he underwent shoulder surgery to repair ligaments torn after he dislocated his shoulder over a month ago.

The biggest surprise was the inclusion of Colo Colo midfielder Charles Aránguiz. The Chilean international did not take part in the World Cup qualifiers but his current form has made him a must-have player for the Argentine coach.

Goalkeepers:
Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad, ESP), Miguel Pinto (Universidad de Chile), Luis Marín (Unión Española)

Defenders:
Roberto Cereceda (Colo Colo), Pablo Contreras (PAOK, GRE)
Ismael Fuentes (Universidad Católica), Mauricio Isla (Udinese, ITA), Gonzalo Jara (West Bromwich, ENG), Gary Medel (Boca Juniors, ARG), Waldo Ponce (Universidad Católica), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Leverkusen, Alemania)

Midfielders:
Charles Aránguiz (Colo Colo), Carlos Carmona (Reggina, ITA), Marco Estrada (Universidad de Chile), Matías Fernández (Sporting Lisbon, POR),Gonzalo Fierro (Flamengo, BRA), José Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Manuel Iturra (Universidad de Chile), Rodrigo Millar (Colo Colo), Pedro Morales (Dínamo Zagreb, CRO), Rodrigo Tello (Besiktas, TUR),Jorge Valdivia (Al-Ain, UAE), Jaime Valdés (Atalanta, ITA)

Forwards:
Jean Beausejour (Club América, MEX), Mark González (CSKA Moscow, RUS), Héctor Mancilla (Toluca, MEX), Fabián Orellana (Xérez, ESP), Esteban Paredes (Colo Colo)
Alexis Sánchez (Udinese, ITA), Humberto Suazo (Real Zaragoza, ESP)

Bielsa gives his 30 players for Chile

The Honduran international will not be part of the Catrachos trip to South Africa after suffering a bone fracture in his foot this past Thursday in Romania with club SC Vaslui.

According to team doctors, the injury will take up to six weeks to heal, preventing him from playing in the World Cup.

Costly was Honduras leading scorer during World Cup qualifiers as the Central Americans made it back to the big show after a 28-year absence.  He was also one of the most consistent performers in tournaments such as the Gold Cup as well.

Costly was looking to make history as his father, Allen Costly, was part of the Spain '82 side that last played in the biggest sporting event on the planet.  Head coach Reinaldo Rueda will give out the list of players later on Monday.

Honduras will play Spain, Chile, and Switzerland in World Cup group H.

Costly out of Honduras World Cup squad

Barcelona and Real Madrid are the dominant teams in Spain and they proved it by being the two teams that monopolized nearly half of the spots of La Furia's 30-man roster. Barcelona ended up on top as seven of their players earned call ups. There were some surprises in Vicente Del Bosque's list, but for the most part the players that were expected to be on, were.

The majority of the team that won the European championship two years ago and played in the Confederations Cup last summer will be back.

Barcelona's Victor Valdés will have at least a fighting chance to enter Del Bosque's 23-man roster as he was considered part of his 30-man list. Valdés will most likely win yet another Zamora trophy and was among the five goalkeepers called up by the Spanish coach. His level during the past two seasons have been worthy of recognition and should be on the fast track to be in South Africa.

None of Real Madrid's players were named Guti or Raúl as Albiol, Arbeloa, Ramos, Xabi Alonso will follow national team captain Iker Casillas to South Africa.

One of the big surprises was Atlético Madrid's young goalkeeper David De Gea who has become one of the revelations of the tournament. Another surprise call up was that of Osasuna defender César Azpilicueta. He has become a stalwart for the Rojillos. Sevilla's Jesús Navas also got some recognition from Del Bosque.

One player that was left off the squad was Getafe's Roberto Soldado. He was being considered to be a viable replacement for Fernando Torres. His 14 goals for the season have him in La Liga's top ten in scoring.

Some players that were left off the list were Sevilla goalkeeper Andrés Palop as well as Athletic counterpart Gorka Iraizoz. Barcelona forward Bojan Krkic, who decided to not go to Euro2008, was snubbed in favor of teammate Pedro Rodríguez who became one of the revelations of the tournament. Pedro was the first player in football history to score in all six competitions this season. He is also the team's third leading scorer behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and soon-to-be Pichichi winner Lionel Messi.

Spain will be participating in Group H alongside Chile, Honduras, and Switzerland.


Goalkeepers:Iker Casillas(Real Madrid CF), David De Gea(Atlético Madrid),Diego López (Villarreal), Pepe Reina (Liverpool-ENG), Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona)

Defenders
: Raúl Albiol (Real Madrid)
, Alvaro Arbeloa(Real Madrid),
 César Azpilicueta (Osasuna)
 Joan Capdevila (Villarreal)
, Carlos Marchena (Valencia),
 Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona)
 Carles Puyol (FC Barcelona),
 Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

Midfielders:
 Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid)
 Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona)
 Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal FC-ENG)
 Andrés Iniesta (FC Barcelona)
 Javi Martínez (Athletic)
 Marcos Senna (Villarreal)
 David Silva (Valencia)
 Xavier Hernández (FC Barcelona)

Forwards
: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal),
 Jesús Navas (Sevilla),
 Juan Mata (Valencia CF),
 Pedro (FC Barcelona)
, Dani Güiza (Fenerbache SK-TUR)
, Fernando Llorente (Athletic Club),
 Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla FC)
, Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC-ENG)
, David Villa (Valencia CF)


Callup by team
Barcelona- 7
Real Madrid- 5
Valencia- 4
Villarreal- 4
Athletic - 2
Liverpool- 2
Osasuna- 1
Atlético- 1
Arsenal- 1
Sevilla- 2
Fenerbahce-1

Del Bosque announces Spain's 30 players

Club Deportivo Marathon and Real Club Deportivo España are the two representatives for Honduras at the CONCACAF Champions League. After winning their first group matches at home last week, both teams look for another solid step in their race for next round in the competition.

Tonight, Marathon receives the visit of San Juan Jobloteh from Trinidad & Tobago in the same stadium where the Honduran national team will match up against Trinidad for the 2010 World Cup qualifier on September 5th, the Olympic Metropolitan Stadium of San Pedro Sula. Marathon must stand up to its impressive record in this competition, having won 7 of 11 games, tied 2 and lost only 2. At home, Marathon has only lost 1 game of 5 since last season (0-1 against PR Islanders).

On the other side of town, Real España prepares itself for the second match in this competition. Arguably one of the most consistent teams in the country since 2007, Real España must take advantage of its home condition against Mexico's Pumas de la UNAM, who have lost 5 games in a row in their local league. Curiously enough, both visiting teams are direct rivals of the Honduran National Team for the WC qualifier. More than likely, Real España will count with the presence of its striker and national team star Carlos Pavón for tomorrow's match.

Match: CD Marathon (HON) vs San Juan Jabloteh (T&T)
Date: August 26, 2009
Kick off time: 8.00 pm (10.00 pm ET)
Venue: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Stadium: Olympic Metropolitan Stadium

Match: RCD España (HON) vs Pumas (MEX)
Date: August 27, 2009
Kick off time: 8.00 pm (10.00 pm ET)
Venue: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Stadium: Olympic Metropolitan Stadium

CONCACAF Champions League Focus: Honduras

Swine flu has rocked Mexico and soccer has been affected importantly all throughout CONCACAF. The U-17 regional tournament being held in Tijuana was canceled amid the fears of the promulgation of the pathology as the country finds the eyes of the world placed squarely on them.

The amount of deaths in Mexico caused by swine flu is nearing 200 deaths. So when the Mexican government announced it was closing schools nationwide, CONCACAF said Monday it would abandon the tournament "to safeguard the health of players, officials and fans."

Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and the United States had clinched spots in the semifinals of the tournament.

The semifinals of the U-17 tournament were scheduled for Wednesday in Tijuana, with the championship and third-place matches on Saturday. All four teams will advance to the U-17 World Cup, scheduled from Oct. 24-Nov. 15 in Nigeria.



CONCACAF also postponed the return leg of the Champions League finals until May 12. Cruz Azul and Atlante FC, both Mexican teams, were to play Wednesday in Cancún for the title of CONCACAF's best club team. Currently Atlante are ahead in the aggregate score 2-0 after winning in Mexico City last week.



CONCACAF will decide Tuesday whether to proceed with its beach championship, scheduled for Wednesday through Sunday in Puerto Vallarta.

Mexico City will continue with its restrictions to help avoid the spread of the swine flu epidemic. Three matches were played behind closed doors last weekend, and all signs point towards there being a repeat of the same. Cruz Azul stated it would do the same for this coming Saturday's match against Indios Juarez.

The Mexican national team has also closed its training sessions inside of its compex in the southern part of Mexico City. El Tri are scheduled to host Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup qualifying match June 10 at the Estadio Azteca and there it is still too soon to see if that match will be rescheduled.

Swine Flu Causes Problems In CONCACAF