Honduras taps De la Paz Herrera as new coach

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) -- National hero Jose de la Paz Herrera was picked to take over Honduras's national soccer team Sunday, one month before the squad's last chance to advance to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying.

De la Paz Herrera, who coached Honduras to its only World Cup finals appearance in 1982 and is known nationwide as "Chelato Ucles," replaces Raul Martinez Sambula, who was demoted.

De la Paz Herrera announced his retirement from soccer in March to pursue a political career with the Liberal Party. But he said Sunday he was putting his "political aspirations on hold because of the needs of my country."

Martinez Sambula will remain with the team, serving as a fourth assistant coach, Honduran soccer federation president Rafael Leonardo Callejas said.

Martinez Sambula took over the national squad in June, when Serbian Bora Milutinovic suddenly resigned, saying he could no longer take stinging criticism of the state of Honduran soccer from the sports media and the fans.

"The decision to hire Ucles came because we want to make it to the next round of the Germany World Cup 2006," Callejas said.

The task won't be easy.

Honduras is in third place in Group B, three points behind Costa Rica. Guatemala has already advanced to the final round, while fourth-place Canada has been eliminated.

Honduras hosts Costa Rica on Nov. 17 needing a win to advance. A draw or a loss would send Costa Rica to the next round.

Honduras looked sluggish in a 1-1 draw against Canada in San Pedro Sula on Oct. 9, and failed to muster much offense in a 1-0 loss at Guatemala four days later.

De la Paz Herrera acknowledged the team "had some difficult moments these days."

"The game against Costa Rica is a tremendous task," he said. "But pulling to together as a unified team will help us be successful."