Preview: Honduras – Chile

(GSM) – With the World Cup under way for several days now, Latin-American participants Honduras and Chile finally get to start their campaign.

Honduras are set to make their second appearance at a World Cup, having qualified before in 1982. That year, the team finished fourth in a group with Northern Ireland, Spain and Yugoslavia, and collected two points. As such, the team have yet to earn their first victory at a final tournament.

To get to South Africa, Honduras finished third in the CONCACAF qualifying zone behind the United States and Mexico.

The team played three friendlies ahead of this tournament, none of which were too promising for the central-Americans. The encounters with Belarus and Azerbaijan ended undecided, and the match with Romania was lost 3-0.

Honduras suffered a big blow ahead of this World Cup as star player Carlos Costly injured himself and although he recovered in time, FIFA regulations keep him sidelined for the tournament.

Chile return to the highest stage after missing out on the last two World Cups, and are set to play their eighth World Cup.

Their most recent appearance was in 1998, finishing second in their group despite drawing all of their three games. In the round of sixteen, they were knocked out by then reigning champions Brazil.

The South Americans impressed in qualifying for this year’s tournament, finishing second in the always competitive CONMEBOL zone.

The team played five friendlies in May, beating Trinidad and Tobago, Zambia, Northern Ireland and Israel but losing to Mexico.

Honduras and Chile last met in a 2009 friendly, with Honduras beating their opponents 2-0.

With Chile heavily favored by bookmakers, the two sides face off at Nelspruit’s Mbombela stadium with Eddy Maillet of the Seychelles appointed as referee. Kick-off is scheduled for 13:30 local time.