THE LOWDOWN ON HONDURAS
YOUR GUIDE TO THE SOCCEROOS’ OPPONENTS
THE TEAM: “Los Catrachos” — a nickname meaning “The Hondurans” — are looking to qualify for their third straight World Cup and fourth overall. On each previous appearance they’ve failed to win a game or get out of their group. Honduras is ranked 69th in the world, between Slovenia and Uganda. THE STARS: Maynor Figueroa — The captain spent almost a decade in the English Premier League. Suspended for first leg. Alex Lopez — Chief creative outlet, likely to play behind the striker and pull the attacking strings. Emilio Izaguirre — Dependable left-back played for Celtic for seven seasons, including one alongside Tom Rogic. Romell Quioto — Houstonbased winger, a star through qualifying, scoring six goals. THE COACH: Jorge Luis Pinto, a Colombian, has won league titles in Peru, Costa Rica, Venezuela and his homeland during a 33-year coaching career. Took Costa Rica to wins over Uruguay, Italy and Greece on the way to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals. A survivor. SELECTION ISSUES: Striker Eddie Hernandez is in a race against time after a facial injury. Big names Maynor Figueroa and Alberth Elis are suspended. THE VENUE: The Estadio Olimipico Metropolitano, in San Pedro Sula, has sold out its 40,000 capacity for the match. Well-travelled US international and ex-English Premier League goalkeeper Brad Guzan ranks the stadium in his “top five most epic” venues in the world. THE FORM: Honduras scraped into the six-team final CONCACAF group at Canada’s expense after securing a draw with regional heavyweight Mexico on the last day of qualifying. They finished fourth in the hexagonal — with three wins from 10 games — after another final day drama, beating Mexico 3-2 at home to sneak their playoff place ahead of the USA, who miss the World Cup for the first time in 32 years. THE COUNTRY: Honduras was part of the Mayan civilisation before being conquered by Spain. It won independence early in the 19th century and shares a border with Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua. Its nine million people are among the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, alongside India, Timor Leste and Iraq. Tegucigalpa is the capital, and the currency is the Lempira.