I also found Herbert's comments surprising. I would have taken Panama over Honduras any day. His rationale about knowing Hondurus works both ways - they know our weaknesses as well. They have also played here but we have never ventured into their den. Looking at their team, in terms of names, Hondurus also frightens me much more then Panama
I kind of agree - I remember being impressed by Honduras' Olympic football side last year in London who were undefeated in group play, including beating Spain, and were only narrowly edged by Brazil in the quarters 3-2 in a quality game.
HONDURAS : P: 11 W: 3 D: 3 L: 5
PANAMA: P: 12 W: 4 D: 5 L: 3
In the two Panama - Honduras games this year it's a win to Panama and a draw.
Honduras were also comfortably beaten 2-0 by Israel in a friendly in New York a couple of weeks ago.
(Now if Israel can get a result like that, then so can we...)
Panama's form hasn't been good this month (three losses, one draw) after being undefeated in all matches this year until June 1st:
lost a friendly against Peru 2-1 at home, lost their two World Cup qualifiers against USA and Costa Rica the last couple of weeks, drew with Mexico.
June has been so intense for Panama - four games in 18 days....the All Whites will be handicapped by not experiencing anything like that level of intense competition .
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Honduras, Panama, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica will all being playing in the Gold Cup regional championship played in 13 US cities.
(Minimum three games - group stage, possible six for teams who make the final)
Jeez, they're going to be well-prepared for the final stages of World Cup qualifying....
Big Pete 65, Christchurch