Swiss fail to find breakthrough
The dream is over for Switzerland in the World Cup after they failed to build on their superb victory against European champions Spain in their opening game.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld knew if his side achieved a two-goal win in this Group H match then they would progress to the second round, but they were toothless and had to settle for a point against Honduras, who are also going home after failing to find the target in the tournament.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld knew if his side achieved a two-goal win in this Group H match then they would progress to the second round, but they were toothless and had to settle for a point against Honduras, who are also going home after failing to find the target in the tournament.
Hitzfeld chose to put Alex Frei on the bench even though the striker says he is 100% fit after an ankle injury - a surprise given that he has scored 40 goals in 76 games for his country.
He eventually came on in the 69th minute but even though they had the majority of possession before and after his introduction the Swiss were left frustrated.
Their heartache was clear to see at the end with players sprawled on the pitch with disappointment etched on their faces.
Honduras exit with a point after their best performance in three games. They showed a lot of steel - Wigan midfielder Hendry Thomas was booked after only four minutes for a lunge at Gokhan Inler - and played some good football.
Switzerland, however, carved out the first chance of the match in the 10th minute but Inler dragged his shot off target after being set up by Tranquillo Barnetta.
Seven minutes later Barnetta floated in a superb cross to the back post, only for Eren Derdiyok to stray offside and head wide, then Barnetta tried his luck from 20 yards out but goalkeeper Noel Valladares was equal to his effort.
Honduras were again pegged back in the 42nd minute and Derdiyok delivered the ball into the area. Blaise Nkufo found himself in the clear, only to get a poor touch and the chance was lost. Then, minutes later, he glanced a header wide.
Hakan Yakin came for Gelson Fernandes at the start of the second half as Switzerland switched things around.
Honduras should have taken the lead in the 54th minute but somehow David Suazo managed to find the wrong side of the post with a header following a cross from Edgar Alvarez.
Barnetta then raced into the area after 60 minutes but Valladares was able to make a comfortable block before Derdiyok sent a shot into the arms of goalkeeper.
Honduras launched a swift counter attack in the 71st minute when Suazo released Alvarez but goalkpeeper Diego Benaglio reacted superbly to push his effort over the top.
Barnetta then picked Stephan Lichtsteiner but he was wasteful in 80th minute as Honduras put up the shutters to get a draw and restore some of their pride.
He eventually came on in the 69th minute but even though they had the majority of possession before and after his introduction the Swiss were left frustrated.
Their heartache was clear to see at the end with players sprawled on the pitch with disappointment etched on their faces.
Honduras exit with a point after their best performance in three games. They showed a lot of steel - Wigan midfielder Hendry Thomas was booked after only four minutes for a lunge at Gokhan Inler - and played some good football.
Switzerland, however, carved out the first chance of the match in the 10th minute but Inler dragged his shot off target after being set up by Tranquillo Barnetta.
Seven minutes later Barnetta floated in a superb cross to the back post, only for Eren Derdiyok to stray offside and head wide, then Barnetta tried his luck from 20 yards out but goalkeeper Noel Valladares was equal to his effort.
Honduras were again pegged back in the 42nd minute and Derdiyok delivered the ball into the area. Blaise Nkufo found himself in the clear, only to get a poor touch and the chance was lost. Then, minutes later, he glanced a header wide.
Hakan Yakin came for Gelson Fernandes at the start of the second half as Switzerland switched things around.
Honduras should have taken the lead in the 54th minute but somehow David Suazo managed to find the wrong side of the post with a header following a cross from Edgar Alvarez.
Barnetta then raced into the area after 60 minutes but Valladares was able to make a comfortable block before Derdiyok sent a shot into the arms of goalkeeper.
Honduras launched a swift counter attack in the 71st minute when Suazo released Alvarez but goalkpeeper Diego Benaglio reacted superbly to push his effort over the top.
Barnetta then picked Stephan Lichtsteiner but he was wasteful in 80th minute as Honduras put up the shutters to get a draw and restore some of their pride.
MATCH SUMMARY
Man of the Match: Edgar Alvarez - In a game short of quality, there were no genuine standout players, but Alvarez was lively and direct for Honduras on the right wing and could easily have provided a winner for the underdogs.
Switzerland verdict: Having shown they could soak up the pressure and sneak a goal against Spain, the pressure was on to show they could take the game to the opposition in this must-win game, but they were far too negative and lacked any sort of cutting edge. They improved slightly when Hakan Yakin was introduced to provide a decent ball into the box, but they lacked quality options to convert them.
Honduras verdict: They were always going to be playing for pride but, playing on the counter-attack, they looked the better team for much of the night. Edgar Alvarez and Ramon Nunez threatened to cause problems and they attacked at pace, but a lack of belief and poor final balls meant they were unable to clinch a shock win.
Could do better: Blaise Nkufo - The veteran Switzerland striker has been a consistent performer for his country but he failed to deliver when it really mattered. He looked cumbersome throughout the game, wasting a decent opening in the first half and generally failing to provide a threat, although the same charge could be levelled at many of his team-mates.
Stat attack: This was the first 0-0 draw for Honduras in their World Cup history. It was the third for the Swiss, with two coming in 2006.
Man of the Match: Edgar Alvarez - In a game short of quality, there were no genuine standout players, but Alvarez was lively and direct for Honduras on the right wing and could easily have provided a winner for the underdogs.
Switzerland verdict: Having shown they could soak up the pressure and sneak a goal against Spain, the pressure was on to show they could take the game to the opposition in this must-win game, but they were far too negative and lacked any sort of cutting edge. They improved slightly when Hakan Yakin was introduced to provide a decent ball into the box, but they lacked quality options to convert them.
Honduras verdict: They were always going to be playing for pride but, playing on the counter-attack, they looked the better team for much of the night. Edgar Alvarez and Ramon Nunez threatened to cause problems and they attacked at pace, but a lack of belief and poor final balls meant they were unable to clinch a shock win.
Could do better: Blaise Nkufo - The veteran Switzerland striker has been a consistent performer for his country but he failed to deliver when it really mattered. He looked cumbersome throughout the game, wasting a decent opening in the first half and generally failing to provide a threat, although the same charge could be levelled at many of his team-mates.
Stat attack: This was the first 0-0 draw for Honduras in their World Cup history. It was the third for the Swiss, with two coming in 2006.
