Switzerland and Honduras 0-0 at half-time

Switzerland were deadlocked at 0-0 in their Group H clash with Honduras in Bloemfontein on Friday as they went in search of goals to seal a World Cup knockout berth.

The central American side, with six changes to their starting line-up, started brightly with Wilson Palacios impressing in midfield.

But Switzerland, who dropped record goalscorer Alexander Frei for the crucial match and choose instead to pair Blaise Nkufo with Eren Derdiyok up front, created the first clear openings.

Gokhan Inler dragged a left-footed strike wide from the edge of the penalty box after 10 minutes as the Swiss began to get a foothold in the game in a half-full Free State stadium.

Minutes later Derdiyok was presented with a clear scoring chance following a pin-point cross from the right by Tranquillo Barnetta but headed wide.

Switzerland, who came into the match with only three goals in their past seven internationals, continued to press but could not open their account.

Two of the three Palacios brothers in the Honduras squad, Jerry and Wilson, started for the central American minnows, languishing at the bottom of Group H with no points.

A Swiss win by two clear goals would guarantee a place in the last 16 of the World Cup but they could also progress with a narrow win or a draw, depending on the result of Friday’s other game between Spain and Chile in Pretoria.

Honduras would have to win by two goals and hope Chile beat Spain by three goals in order to reach the second round.