Int'l Friendly : Romania - Honduras

Posted Saturday, June 05, 2010 by Goal.com

Honduras should try to gain more confidence ahead of the World Cup.....

Kick-Off: Saturday, June 5, 19:30 CET.
Hypo-Arena, Klagenfurt, Austria.

Ending On A Winning Note

Romania are preparing for the Euro 2012 qualifiers that start in September and have been playing friendly internationals for the past few days. They first played Ukraine last week and lost 3-2 and on Wednesday were rocked 1-0 by modest Macedonia in Bischofshofen.

The Tricolours round off their friendly internationals with a match against World Cup finalists Honduras on Saturday and they will certainly want to end the sequence of three matches with a flourish. Romania couldn't qualify for the World Cup and are next schedule to play an international match against Turkey in August, so coach Razvan Lucescu will be using the Saturday fixture to get a closer look at his side.

World Cup Preparations In Tatters

Honduras have been in terribly awkward form in the build-up to the World Cup finals and have looked unimpressive in their last two international friendlies. Crucially, they have played against teams who will not participate in the showpiece event in South Africa - Belarus and Azerbaijan - and have looked severely under par, failing to win either game.

On Wednesday against Azerbaijan, los Catrachos failed to score as the friendly international between the two sides at the Stadion Zell am See against Austria ended in a goalless draw. It was a very lacklustre performance from the Hondurans and coach Reinaldo Rueda will be expecting something better against Romania on Saturday.

FORM GUIDE

Romania

June 2: Romania 0-1 FYR Macedonia (Friendly)

May 29: Ukraine 3-2 Romania (Friendly)

November 14: Poland 0-1 Romania (Friendly)

October 14: Romania 3-1 Faroe Islands (World Cup Qualifier)

October 10: Serbia 5-0 Romania (World Cup qualifier)

Honduras

June 2: Azerbaijan 0-0 Honduras (Friendly)

May 27: Belarus 2-2 Honduras (Friendly)

April 21: Honduras 0-1 Venezuela (Friendly)

March 3: Turkey 2-0 Honduras (Friendly)

January 23: USA 1-3 Honduras (Friendly)

TEAM NEWS

Romania

Coach Razvan Lucescu has tried different personnel in the last two matches and he is likely to chop out and draft in new faces on Saturday too. Dorin Goian should start against Honduras in defence and so should Tiberiu Ghioane and Daniel Niculae in midfield and attack respectively.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Pantilimon, Dananae, Goian, Maftei, Rat; Ghioane, Cocis, Radut, Deac; Cristea, Niculae

Honduras

Coach Reinaldo Rueda knows that his team needs to progress but he could field the same lineup that started against Azerbaijan, although Georgie Welcome could be given the nod ahead of Ramon Nunez.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Canales, Mendoza, Bernardez, Figueroa, Izaguirre; Guevara, Alvarez, Julio Leon, W. Palacios; Nunez, Suazo

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dorin Goian (Romania)

The Palermo centre-back is likely to slot into central defence against Honduras on Saturday and is going to be a crucial player for the Europeans. Romania conceded thrice against Ukraine and one against Macedonia in their last two friendlies and this is certainly not the way to prepare for the future. The 29-year-old will have to stay alert all the time against a potentially dangerous attackline of the Hondurans.

David Suazo (Honduras)

The 30-year-old striker has yet to perform to the best of his abilities in the warm-up fixtures but on Saturday he will have to lead the Honduran attackline by example. The Italy-based forward is one of the most experienced in the current Honduras side and his contribution in the attackline will be crucial.

PREDICTION

Honduras have struggled in the past two matches and it would take something special for them to make an impression against Romania. The match is likely to end in a draw.

Romania 1-1 Honduras