Suazos under injury clouds

NELSPRUIT, South Africa (AP):

The main focus ahead of the World Cup match between Chile and Honduras has been on injuries to the two opposing strikers named Suazo.

Chile's Humberto Suazo was top scorer in the South American qualifiers with 10 goals but injured his left thigh two weeks ago. The initial prognosis was that the Zaragoza striker would be sidelined for three weeks, but his recovery has been quicker than expected and coach Marcelo Bielsa said he would be available for today's opener.

For Honduras, Genoa forward David Suazo also has a right thigh injury but - unlike his namesake - seems unlikely to have shaken off the problem in time.

Regardless of injuries, Chile will be favourites to make a winning start at the Mbombela Stadium after finishing just a point behind Brazil in the South American qualifiers and holding the No. 18 world ranking, 20 spots above Honduras.

Chile defender Gonzalo Jara, who plays for English club West Bromwich Albion, said the key would be making sure Chile play to their strengths.

"We know that individually (Honduras) have got players who can change a game and they are also a very strong team physically, but I think the most important thing for us is to try to impose ourselves on the match," Jara said.

As well as Humberto Suazo, who won the Mexican title with Monterrey in 2009 before moving to Spain's Zaragoza, Bielsa can also call on forwards Matias Fernandez and Alexis Sanchez.

With Switzerland next up on June 21 and Spain to follow on June 25, Chile need a positive result from the Honduras match to stand a realistic chance of progression.

There is one further motivation for starting with a win. It's 48 years since the South American side last tasted victory in the World Cup, going 13 matches since beating Yugoslavia to finish third in 1962 when they hosted the tournament.

Honduras, on the other hand, have never won a World Cup match. The only other time Honduras qualified for the finals was in 1982 when they held Spain and Northern Ireland to draws, but lost to Yugoslavia to finish bottom of the group.

Some claim the side will struggle to do better this time round, but a sprinkling of players from Europe's top leagues means Honduras have reasons for optimism.

Defender Maynor Figueroa plays at Wigan alongside Hendry Thomas, while Tottenham paid a reported 12 million pounds to sign midfielder Wilson Palacios in January last year.

As well as David Suazo and midfielder Edgar Alvarez also play in Italy, with Torino and Bari, respectively.

"Favoritism is off the pitch," defender Sergio Mendoza said. "Nobody can say you are a favourite and somebody else is a Cinderella. I think we all deserve respect."

Figueroa said the Honduras players were enjoying the experience.

"We're very close now," he said. "We're about to make our dream come true."