Group H: Chile, Honduras, Spain, Switzerland
Jun 10 2010 By Dave Higgerson
CHILE
Coach:
Marcelo Bielsa
Star player:
Alexis Sanchez
Previous appearances: 1930 (first round), 1950 (first round), 1962 (third place), 1966 (first round), 1974 (first round), 1982 (first round), 1998 (first round).
Chances: An exciting and talented unit under the clever coaching of Argentinian Bielsa. The group is essentially a battle to finish second behind Spain, and with the skills of Sanchez and Matias Fernandez they look well equipped to win that fight.
HONDURAS
Coach:
Reinaldo Rueda
Star player:
Wilson Palacios
Previous appearances: 1982 (first round).
Chances: Rueda’s men have some top-level European experience with the likes of Palacios performing well at Tottenham, but it would be a big shock if Honduras made it to the second round. Coach Rueda is well respected though and is arguably their best asset.
SPAIN
Coach: Vicente
Del Bosque
Star player:
Fernando Torres
Previous appearances: 1934 (quarter-finals), 1950 (fourth place), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1990 (second round), 1994 (quarter-finals), 1998 (first round), 2002 (quarter-finals), 2006 (second round).
Chances: Chronic World Cup underachievers in the past, Spain have never been better placed to become world champions having broken their habit of freezing at major finals in emphatic fashion by winning Euro 2008. There is quality all over the pitch and they pose the biggest threat to Brazil. Fitness concerns have dogged Torres for most of the season, but Spain have great quality in depth and could arguably still be considered strong contenders even if he is not fully fit.
SWITZERLAND
Coach:
Ottmar Hitzfeld
Star player:
Tranquillo
Barnetta
Previous appearances: 1934 (quarter-finals), 1938 (quarter-finals), 1950 (first round), 1954 (quarter-finals), 1962 (first round), 1966 (first round), 1994 (second round), 2006 (second round).
Chances: In Hitzfeld the Swiss could not wish for a manager with greater nous, and they will be targeting a place in the second round and maybe even the last eight. Playmaker Barnetta and young goalscorer Eren Derdiyok are the men to watch.
