Canada vs. Honduras: A Tactian's View

After looking past the rivalry, and the overall aura this game has, Canada will be in tough to get a result against the Hondurans.

Although Honduras are missing the likes of Suazo, Palacios, Figueroa, Guevara and Suazo they still have a very good team. Lots of people look at all the domestic players and underestimate the Honduran squad, but there are some very talented players on that roster. Carlos Costly netted three goals the 2007 Gold Cup, and he already has two in this edition. Espinoza, the twenty-two-year-old midfielder has already struck the net twice in only seven international appearances for Honduras. Don't be fooled this is a strong side, with many players looking to impress and earn themselves a spot on the roster for the remainder of World Cup Qualifying.

With the attacking threats at the disposal of Honduras, Canada would be wise to stick with the patient, slow style they have been playing in the tournament so far. That means Canada will most likely go out in a 4-1-4-1 (4-5-1), instead of the 4-4-2 which Canada has experimented with throughout the group stages.

Expect to see solid players who track back and make an impact defensively to start in the midfield. This will leave "impact players" like Simpson, Jackson and Peters on the bench.

Up front will undoubtedly be Ali Gerba, and the back four that started the first two matches will continue against the Hondurans. The starting XI will most likely look something like this:

------------------Sutton-----------------
--Stalteri--Jakovic--McKenna--Klukowski--
-----------------De Guzman---------------
--Johnson--Bernier--Hutchinson--De Jong--
-------------------Gerba-----------------

So the same XI that started against Jamaica in the opening match of the tournament.

A lot of pressure will be on De Guzman, to be a defensive presence in the centre of midfield. He will also be asked to spread out the field and try and keep possession against a quick Honduran team.

If Canada need a goal or a spark, expect Peters to be one of the first players off the bench. He looked impressive going forward against Costa Rica in a position he is not used to playing (centre midfield). Jackson may also see some minutes if Canada goes a goal down.

In the end how Canada fares comes down to how well the back four that has impressed so much at this tournament performs. Playing together in the first two games of the tournament the back line of Stalteri, Jakovic, McKenna and Klukowski did not concede a goal. If Canada hopes to pull out a result against Honduras they will need to rely on the same patient defending that won them the first two matches. If they can keep there cool under pressure and play the same type of game they did against Jamaica and El Salvador they will be in with a big shout against Honduras.

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