adminMANAUS, Brazil . — Exactly four years after their last World Cup soccer meeting, Switzerland and Honduras will face each other under almost identical circumstances. The teams drew 0-0 at the last World Cup on June 25, 2010, a result that led to the elimination of both teams. Today at 10pm both will be playing for a spot in the second round. Another draw could lead to the same consequence, depending on what happens in the other Group E match between Ecuador and France.
The Swiss are the seeded team in the group, but they followed up a 2-1 comeback win over Ecuador with a demoralizing 5-2 loss to the French. Honduras, like four years ago, has lost both of its opening matches.
The next meeting between the two will take place in the heat and humidity of the Brazilian rainforest at the Arena da Amazonia.
“Everything is in our hands,” Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. “We still have a good chance of qualifying.”
The 65-year-old German plans to end his career after this World Cup, but he came into the tournament expecting to stay longer than the three guaranteed group matches.
Hitzfeld, a two-time Champions League winner as a coach, has led Switzerland for six years, rebuilding them from a low point three years ago when the team failed to qualify for the 2012 European Championship.— AFP.
Online Reporter