Honduras lost all three of its matches at the World Cup, and then lost its coach.
Luis Fernando Suarez, a Colombian who led Ecuador to the second round of the 2006 World Cup, quit his job Wednesday following a third straight loss in Brazil.
“I'm sorry I didn't manage more,” said Suarez, who has been Honduras coach since March 2011. “I'm sad because I had a dream about this World Cup.”
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Honduras` head coach Luis Suarez instructs his players from the sideline during the group E World Cup soccer match between Honduras and Switzerland at the Arena da Amazonia in Manaus, Brazil, Wednesday. (AP) |
Honduras lost to Switzerland 3-0 on Wednesday at the Arena da Amazonia in the hot and humid Brazilian rainforest in perhaps the team's best chance to shine playing in conditions similar to those at home.
But it was the Swiss who managed the goals, all three of them coming from Xherdan Shaqiri.
Honduras, meanwhile, played better as the match wore on but couldn't get the goal it needed to change the momentum.
“We had more control of the ball than they did,” Suarez said. “But that didn't lead to a result.
“I'm leaving with a good conscience. I don't think this is a defeat,” he added. “I leave with a clean soul and conscience thinking I gave my best.”
In earlier matches at the World Cup, the Hondurans lost to France 3-0 and then fell to Ecuador 2-1, finally getting their first goal at a World Cup since 1982.
“This team is good for Honduras, but then another person can take this position and do better things,” Suarez said. “A new coach will definitely realize that they have a very good material.”
Suarez said his contract with the football federation would expire when the team was eliminated from the World Cup, but he decided after the match to step aside regardless and let someone else take over.
“It's not a resignation. It's not an issue with the contract,” Suarez said. “I unilaterally take the decision of not continuing.” (AP)
