LOS ANGELES, California – El Salvador national team Manager Carlos de los Cobos has expressed that a result against Honduras will not come easy when the two teams meet on Tuesday night in the second of a Group C doubleheader at the Banc of California Stadium.
Honduras is not able to advance to the knockout stage after losing its first two matches, but it can still keep El Salvador from advancing or, at the very least, advancing as the top team in the group.
“They will want to leave the tournament with the highest dignity after losing their first two matches and leave a good impression. It’s normal for them to want to show that they are a good national team,” said de los Cobos in his pre-match press conference on Monday.
“The team has players with velocity, players that have good ball control and experience – in the case of Maynor [Figueroa] who has a lot of years of football and leadership – and every match against Honduras are difficult,” added de los Cobos.
The El Salvador head coach mentioned that forward Nelson Bonilla, the national team’s active top scorer in the Gold Cup, is expected to play after being held out of Sunday’s training as a precaution.
He also added that the team is preparing to give their best performance, regardless of the result of the Jamaica-Curacao match that takes place prior to the encounter with Honduras.
“Without doubt, this tournament is helping us mature as a team. It offers our players the chance to evolve and we are doing very well,” said de los Cobos. “We knew this group was one that was very even, it’s showing to be that way.”
