Hernan Medford (above) will lead Honduras in October friendlies against Mexico and the USA. (Photo: Mexsport)
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras head coach Hernan Medford hopes that matches against fellow CONCACAF powers Mexico and the United States on October 9 and October 14, respectively, will provide a boost to his team.
Since the former Costa Rica international was handed the managerial reins in late July – on the heels of Luis Fernando Suarez’s post-World Cup exit – the Catrachos have split four games, all of them in September’s Central American Cup. A 1-0 win over Nicaragua in the competition’s match for fifth place extended the Hondurans a 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup lifeline, slotting them into a playoff against the fifth-place team from the Caribbean for a spot in the biennial event.
Though Medford may have not started his tenure as wished, the 46-year-old remained calm. After all, implementing a philosophy and building a squad takes time, as well as patience.
“The start of any new phase of preparation is always difficult,” said Medford. “And one, as a national team manager, does not have the magic wand in order to divine. The core of the team is going to be made with the passing of matches. For this I always say that we are in a totally normal process.”
Vaulting from a competitive tournament to high-level friendlies after just starting a job is undoubtedly challenging, but Medford is positive in his approach.
“Against Mexico and the United States, they will always be very difficult matches,” concluded the former Real España manager. “Those are the area’s two strongest opponents. Historically, they are very strong teams, but it’s good because those are the matches that serve to make you better. With these games, the national team can adapt itself little by little. So, those two matches are welcomed.”
