With two big matches in the first set of the final round of CONCACAF qualifiers for the World Cup, it would be easy to overlook the one that starts the day. After all, neither Honduras nor Panama are typically seen as being on the same level as the United States or Mexico or Costa Rica — but that doesn’t mean this game doesn’t matter. Not by any means.
Honduras vs. Panama 2016: Start time, live stream, TV schedule, and 3 things to know
Honduras and Panama square off hoping to tip the balance of power in CONCACAF.
Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images
With only three guaranteed spots in the 2018 World Cup for CONCACAF and one more spot that goes to an inter-confederation playoff, there’s not much room for error for the six teams in this final “Hex” round. That power trio of the USMNT, El Tri, and Los Ticos will want to put an early stranglehold on the automatic qualification spots, but if one of the teams on the fringes of CONCACAF can put pressure on them it would make the qualification matches a lot more interesting headed toward the finish line.
Either of the two teams in action in San Pedro Sula are capable of putting that pressure on, and both Honduras and Panama will be looking to go all-out in this match in order to secure the three points they need to start taking strides forward. That will make for a fast-paced, high-intensity match, and that’s always something that’s fun to watch.
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. - English); beIN Sports en Español, NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish); Telesistema, GolTV (Honduras); RPC Canal 4, GolTV (Panama)
Online: beIN Sports Connect, NBC Universo Now (U.S.)
Match Date/Time: Thursday, 3:35 p.m. ET, 2:35 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Three big things to know
- Honduras have quietly become one of the most fun teams in CONCACAF over the last year. They field a younger, faster side that plays tactics that, while certainly reactive and not something that can be considered outright attacking football, are a far cry better than the bunker-and-counter tactics the country used to be known for. Their U23’s were one of the best teams at the Olympics this past summer, and they’ve used that experience to start a run of five straight matches without a loss at the senior level since then, a run of form that puts them in a strong position for the Hex round.
- Oscar Salas was one of the biggest stars for Honduras during that run in the Olympics, and the 22-year-old was rewarded for his efforts with his first senior callup in October — which he celebrated by scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 triumph over Belize. His energy, athleticism, and top-notch instincts help make Honduras a much more dangerous side in attack, and if he puts on an impressive performance in this match and in future Honduras matches, you can just about guarantee you’ll start seeing a lot of transfer rumors mentioning Salas’ name sooner rather than later.
- Panama, on the other hand, are in a bit of a rough patch. Two years ago it looked like they were threatening to join the elite of CONCACAF, but key injuries and several other younger players not developing as hoped have seen them slip back toward mediocrity. Lately they’ve struggled badly on the pitch, with a poor performance at the Copa America this summer and only one win in their four matches since then. A trip to face a resurgent Honduras side likely won’t help that, but you can still rest assured that they’re not going to back down from the challenge ahead of them.
See More:
