Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says he side go into their final group match against Honduras full of confidence that they will qualify for the last 16 of the competition (8/15 to win).
The Swiss go into the match knowing that they can still win the group but there is also a possibility they will finish bottom if results do not go their way. They currently sit third in Group H, level on points with Spain but the Spaniards have a superior goal difference. However, the coach is confident in his players and knows that if they beat Honduras by two or more goals, they will qualify for the next round.
Switzerland caused a major shock in their first match by beating one of the favourites Spain but struggled in their second game against Chile after being reduced to ten men. In both games the side relied on their solid defensive base. However, against Honduras, Hitzfeld’s side will be forced to set the agenda and will go into the game with a more attacking mindset as “everybody expects Switzerland to win easily.”
“Against Spain we were the underdogs and concentrated on defending and hoping for a successful counterattack,” Hitzfeld said. “Against Chile, we were forced to defend after our player (Valon) Behrami had been sent off.
“Against Honduras we must win with a two-goal difference to make sure we reach the second stage of the World Cup, and I am very positive that we are going to do it.”
Switzerland’s target is clear but goal scoring has been a major problem for them in the last few years and they have only scored three times in their last seven games, raising questions about their ability to score twice against what will be a hardworking and stubborn Honduran side.
However, star striker Alexander Frei has brushed off these concerns and is confident that his side can score the two goals they need to ensure qualification (Switzerland 1/2 to qualify). Frei, who missed the Spain match and only played 42 minutes before injury forced him off against Chile, told reporters:
“Our defensive play is very strong, but we can score lots of goals.
“We’ve got many players, very skilled players as far as set pieces are concerned, but also from normal play.
“Who is going to score a goal – that I don’t know. We just have to make sure that we do score, and we feel comfortable about that.”
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