PREVIEW
▲Chile
▲Honduras
A family tragedy will inspire Honduras midfielder Wilson Palacios when he confronts Chile today in a Group H Nelspruit showdown.
Younger brother Edwin was kidnapped three years ago and although a ransom was paid, his body was discovered in a remote rural area.
“Everything I do in football is for Edwin. He is watching over me,” Palacios told Honduran reporters as the country prepares for only their second World Cup appearance.
Honduras proved a tough nut to crack in Spain 28 years ago, drawing twice and losing the other group game by a single goal, and this offers hope to Colombian coach Reinaldo Rueda.
“Chile play a different brand of football to most countries and you have to be very intelligent to match them,” is the warning he drills into a team prone to defensive lapses.
Since defeating Yugoslavia to finish third as hosts of the 1962 tournament, Chile have played 13 matches in four appearances without celebrating a victory. But hopes are high that a team which finished second behind Brazil in the qualifying competition for South Africa can not only defeat Honduras, but reach the second round.
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