HONDURAS vs. ECUADOR
Date: June 20, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
Venue: Arena da Baixada, Curitiba
Overall Head-to-Head Record (W-L-T): 3-2-8 Ecuador
Last Match: 2013 Friendly. Ecuador tied Honduras 2-2.
Line: Ecuador -165
Group E Preview here.
Starting Lineups posted separately once they're announced.
Team Profiles
World Ranking: Honduras (33rd), Ecuador (26th)
Managers: Luis Fernando Suarez (HON), Reinaldo Rueda (ECU)
Captains: Noel Valladares (HON), Antonio Valencia (ECU)
World Cup Appearances: 3 (HON), 3 (ECU)
Best Finish: Honduras (Group Stage, Last in 2010), Ecuador (Round of 16, 2006)
Qualifying Records: Honduras (7-4-5, GF: 25, GA: 15), Ecuador (7-5-4, GF: 20, GA: 16)
Previous Game Results
Honduras
Ecuador
June 15th - Switzerland def. Ecuador 2-1
Rosters
Injuries/Discipline
Honduras: Victor Bernardez (Questionable - Knee), Boniek Garcia (Yellow Card), Luis Garrido (Yellow Card), Wilson Palacios (Suspended - Card Accumulation)
Ecuador: Juan Carlos Paredes (Yellow Card)
Overview
A must-win game for both sides to have any hope of advancing in this group. Also a game that should lack some of the quality of the other games in this World Cup but will make up for it in entertainment value.
2 of the weaker teams in the tournament, Honduras and Ecuador both like to play physical, are undisciplined in their fouls and defensively. All that should lead to a wide-open and physical scoring affair. Exactly what every casual fan of the game will love.
Honduras come in with some personnel decisions to make. Wilson Palacios is suspended after his WWE audition against Paul Pogba in the France game. Honduras is also likely to be without Victor Bernardez defensively after he picked up an injury against France.
Formations aside, expect this game to be chaotic. Both teams need 3 points and should throw players forward in an attempt to get goals, regardless of what that means defensively.
Personnel
In the Honduran Third: Honduras spent the France game bunched behind the ball even though they were trailing. This was largely due in part to being down a man and I would not expect the same from them today. Ecuador have speed to penetrate the Honduran lines but lack the finishing quality of other teams. Advantage: Ecuador, I guess.
In the Midfield: Honduras are without their top midfielder and will be relying heavily on the wings. Ecuador is similar on the attack so battle in the midfield should be determined by who wins the centre. I think Honduras' size is the difference there. Advantage: Honduras
In the Ecuadoran Third: Honduras put up one of the worst offensive performances I've ever seen in a World Cup against France. Ecuador on the flip side looked largely competent in the back against Switzerland even if they stopped playing with 30 seconds to go. Advantage: Ecuador
Goalkeeping: All 6 goalkeepers on these squads play in unheralded domestic leagues. They also gave up 5 goals in their openers. Valladares the slight advantage on name recognition and experience only. Advantage: Honduras
Honduras will win if:
They can work the ball to Bengtson and Costly up front without sending a lob 2/3's of the field and hoping something happens. Honduras have to get stronger midfield play so they can properly link up with their strike pairing and allow them to actually work at the Ecuador defence rather then chase down punts.
Ecuador will win if:
They can repeat their defensive effort from the Swiss game. I have full confidence that Honduras will fall apart at times and Ecuador will have scoring chances. They keep their back line strong and neutralize the front two for Honduras and they'll be in the clear.
MAYHEM. Ecuador more quality throughout their roster but Honduras have the forwards to punish their inevitable defensive lapses. Guessing on scoreline, counting on fun.
Ecuador 3-1 Honduras
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