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Honduras, Switzerland draw, both teams are out
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By The Associated Press
June 25, 2010
Bloemfontein, SA — Honduras held Switzerland to a 0-0 draw in Group H of the World Cup on Friday, a result that knocked both teams out of the tournament.
The Swiss could have locked up a spot in the second round with a two-goal win over Honduras. But Switzerland played with little urgency or creative flair until late in the match, and it couldn't turn its domination of possession into quality scoring opportunities.
Honduras almost stole a win in the 71st minute, but goalkeeper Diego Benaglio denied a wide-open Edgar Alvarez with a brilliant one-handed save.
"We had an incredible Diego Benaglio who kept us in the game," Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said. "But as far as our creative play, that's not something I can be happy with. I'm not happy with my strikers, either."
The draw ended a Swiss run in South Africa that started with a 1-0 upset win over European champion Spain. But Switzerland then lost 1-0 to Chile, and couldn't muster a goal against winless Honduras to finish with four points. Spain and Chile had six.Round of 16
World Cup Schedule
Uraguay vs South Korea
Saturday June 26, 2010
10:00 AM EDT
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
(Port Elizabeth, South Africa, ZAF)
United States vs Ghana
Saturday June 26, 2010
2:30 PM EDT
Royal Bafokeng Stadium
(Rustenburg, South Africa, ZAF)
Germany vs England
Sunday June 27, 2010
10:00 AM EDT
Free State Stadium
(Bloemfontein, South Africa, ZAF)
Argentina vs Mexico
Sunday June 27, 2010
2:30 PM EDT
Soccer City
(Johannesburg, South Africa, ZAF)
Netherlands vs Slovakia
Monday June 28, 2010
10:00 AM EDT
Durban Stadium
(Durban, South Africa, ZAF)
Brazil vs Chile
Monday June 28, 2010
2:30 PM EDT
Ellis Park Stadium
(Johannesburg, South Africa, ZAF)
Paraguay vs Japan
Tuesday June 29, 2010
10:00 AM EDT
Loftus Versfeld Stadium
(Pretoria, South Africa, ZAF)
Spain vs Portugal
Tuesday June 29, 2010
2:30 PM EDT
Green Point
(Cape Town, South Africa, ZAF)
Switzerland earlier set a World Cup record for consecutive scoreless minutes before Chile beat it.
"We are very disappointed. Not just me, everyone the players, the staff, the people behind the scenes," Hitzfeld said. "In the end there is only the win against Spain, but we have to leave with our heads held high even if we didn't make it."
The Swiss came close in the 17th minute when Tranquillo Barnetta's cross from the left found Eren Derdiyok at the back post, but Derdiyok headed just wide.
Striker Blaise Nkufo then had two chances just before the half. In the 43rd minute, a cross from Derdiyok found Nkufo, but the striker could only tamely chest the ball across the goalmouth. A minute later, Nkufo headed a free kick wide.
After a tight first half, the game opened up in the second with both teams facing elimination. Needing to score, Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld brought on Hakan Yakin at the break and striker Alex Frei in the 69th to liven up the Swiss attack.
But the Hondurans had the better chances, in great part because the Swiss were pushing forward.
"I think we played a good match," Honduras goalkeeper Noel Valladares said. "We had much more ball possession. We felt much more self-assured ... We had the chances to win but the team that scores wins."
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