Switzerland v Honduras - Hitzfeld to keep eye on Chile-Spain score

Posted Friday, June 25, 2010 by PA

Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is leaving nothing to chance in an attempt to secure his team's place in the second round of the World Cup.

The German will be focusing not only on the vital Group F match against Honduras at Bloemfontein's Free State Stadium, but also intends to monitor the clash between leaders Chile and European champions Spain.

Hitzfeld said: "I will be well informed about what is happening in Pretoria. It could be that I will modify my tactics depending on the score. I feel that anything can happen that game."

Honduras have lost both matches and Hitzfeld said: "They have moments of confusion in defence and we have to take advantage of that."

Switzerland opened with a victory against Spain only to lose to Chile after Valon Behrami's red card.

Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda has called on his World Cup side to make the nation proud.

Rueda is clinging to hope they can recover from two defeats against Chile and Spain and get the victory they crave in Group F when they face Switzerland.

Even a win at the Free State Stadium is unlikely to take Honduras through but Rueda wants a good performance if nothing else.

The Colombian said: "What has happened is rather sad. We have never lost two matches like this before. We have been unable to showcase our skills.

"I want the players to show that just being in the tournament is not enough. There are huge expectations in Honduras. This is a matter of honour and we have a chance to restore our dignity.

"We know we have to score goals and even if we do that we are relying on other results. We have seen what Slovakia did to Italy and we have our own pride to think about."