Switzerland meet Honduras in their final World Cup Group E game today seeking to banish bad memories of 2010, when they scraped a goalless draw against the same opponents and crashed out early.
Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld, trying to repair his team’s spirit after their 5-2 thumping by France in the previous game, dismissed questions about the parallels with four years ago.
Just as in 2010, the two sides are meeting in their final group game. Four years ago a Switzerland win by a two-goal margin would have taken them into the round-of-16.
Photo: AFP
Hitzfeld said it was no use making comparisons “because we are going to win. It’s as simple as that. The team today has more offensive potential.”
The group is exceedingly tight and Switzerland could qualify with a draw if France beat Ecuador. They last made it out of the group stage in 2006, but lost in the round-of-16 to Ukraine.
Hitzfeld played down talk of a draw, saying Switzerland had to win “since that’s the only way to get through this round.”
Switzerland went into the France game in good spirits after a last-gasp 2-1 win over Ecuador in their first match, but then imploded after conceding two goals in a minute.
“The team is still very disappointed by what happened against France,” Hitzfeld told reporters.
The German coach’s main decision will be what to do about his central defense, which had a torrid time against France after Steve von Bergen came off in the ninth minute with a broken bone in his face. He has returned home.
Philippe Senderos came on for Von Bergen, but did not have a good game and Hitzfeld could turn instead to youngster Fabian Schaer.
Another challenge for Switzerland will be the tough conditions in Manaus, which is in the Amazon jungle.
The match kicks off at 4pm when the sun will still be shining on the pitch and the temperature is likely to be at least 30?C.
For Honduras, only a win will do if they are to have any chance of reaching the round-of-16.
They need to beat Switzerland and hope France defeat Ecuador, while also needing enough goals to be scored in both matches to turn around a minus-four goal-difference with Ecuador.
Honduras, known for their aggressive style, lost their first game 3-0 against France after being reduced to 10 men. They looked more polished in their second match, but lost 2-1 to Ecuador.
“We can give more, it will be difficult, but there is hope and that’s good,” said midfielder Wilson Palacios, who was sent off against France.
Teammate Emilio Izaguirre preferred to put his faith in a higher being, saying: “Now we have to have faith in God to get a great result against Switzerland.”
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