Honduras 0-1 Chile World Cup 2010 Group H

To ordinary fans, this match is only a match to be passed by before the much anticipated first match of the much favored Spain in the World Cup 2010 against Switzerland. However, to the fans of those country as well as the other fans who are more well-versed and knowledgeable in football universe, this match is certainly more than a match between two underdogs making up the numbers in Group H. For Honduras, their World Cup campaign is in fact very crucial in reuniting the country since it was divided and chaotic due to the military coup recently in which their president Manuel Zelaya was forcibly ousted. I read a good and interesting article about this and it would do a world of good for Honduras if they are able to do well in this World Cup. Also, this is their first World Cup finals appearance since Spain 82 and they certainly want to show the world the Honduran brand of football. For their opponents Chile, it is 48 years since their victory in the World Cup finals against Yugoslavia and they certainly want to break that unwanted record, and not forgetting the fact that Chile has somehow been forgotten in world football and they certainly want to return Chile to the footballing map.

The only bad thing about this match was of course the fact that the World Cup 2010 “curse” continues in which goals come at a premium and that one goal would likely to kill a game off and there will be no more goals all the way to the end of the match. That was the case for this match. The result went on Chile's favor and thus congratulations for them for winning a match again in the World Cup finals. Despite the scoreline, Chile deserved the victory as they thoroughly dominated the match. From the first minute, it was able to be seen clearly as Honduras was playing a lone ranger 4-5-1 formation while Chile was playing an attacking 4-4-2 formation, taking the initiatives to attack. Also, the gulf of class was also apparent and thus Chile were the victors. The only thing preventing a flurry of goals was as usual, the Jabulani ball in which so many shots ended up over the bar from Chile (there were not that many shots from Honduras) and also to be fair, the heroics of the Honduran goalkeeper in the second half.

Also, this match caught my attention to two Chilean players. They are the right back Isla, who was a striker initially before being converted, and the 22 year old was the one assisting for the winning goal. His marauding runs from the back was a sight to behold. Another player who was simply amazing is the 21 year old Alexis Sanchez. His runs, dribbles, trickery, and pace were simply irresistible and he simply wreak havoc in the Honduran half of the pitch. The big clubs will surely have taken note of those two names, Isla and Alexis Sanchez! Despite playing against Honduras which is not the best team in the World Cup finals, their skills were there to see, totally in control of the game and Chile's attacks were mostly centered on these two players. We will see how they fare next against Switzerland and the favorites Spain.