The Arena da Baixada will be the scene of what many pundits are citing as a “battle of the minnows” as Ecuador and Honduras slug it out for a much needed victory to secure a third spot and with that, any hopes of qualifying from the group. France punished the Honduran offensive tactic of trying to kick bits out of them by storming them 3-0, while Ecuador could count themselves a little unfortunate after tossing away a 1-0 lead to go 2-1 down in the 93rd minute, an agonising encounter that they would likely rather forget.
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Honduras are looking more and more likely to join Spain at the airport if the form book is anything to go by. Ecuador look more skillful, quicker, they have more desire and sense of urgency and should they beat Honduras and the other fixture in this group (France Vs. Switzerland) finish a draw then they will definitely be out. But that fate could also await Ecuador should they fall asleep on the job this evening and Honduras manage to spring a surprise of their own; after all this has been a tournament of many, many twists and turns.
Honduras’ Jorge Claros looks like a starter in place of the suspended Wilson Palacios. Some pundits are expecting to see Honduras ring a few more changes around the squad with possible last minute call ups for Garcia, Najar and Espinoza expected. Rueda of Ecuador isn’t likely to make many changes, if any, after an assured outing against Switzerland. He also has the ideal headache with a fully fit, complete squad available for selection.
With Honduras looking a bit aimless and totally devoid of any game plan in the game against France, Ecuador may be licking their lips at this encounter. Honduras know however that they cannot afford to simply pack eleven men behind the ball tonight and kick lumps out of their opposition. Parking the bus will not be an option, so, devoid of any real dribbling threat from the midfield they will likely send long balls into the Ecuadorian box in the hope of finding the heads of their tall strikers.
The referee will hopefully be looking out for the Honduran tendency to leave feet in the challenge and will, equally as hopefully, be quick to punish such offences. This will be an interesting match up however, as on paper the Ecuadorians lack any real creativity in their midfield, which may just encourage Honduras to come out of their half a bit and try and nick a result. Should they do that though, Ecuador have bags of pace on the flanks and may hurt them on the counter.
With both managers likely to opt for a 4-4-2 formation, every single man on the pitch will be marked and marking, without any chinks or holes or gaps to exploit. This will naturally mean that the victor (barring a second half change in formation), will probably be the one who is stronger, or wants it more. That’s assuming that Honduras manage to keep eleven men on the pitch this time.
