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Yes, 'sir' Perfect host Colombia faces giant-killer Honduras
MANIZALES, Colombia (AP) -- Colombia has an unbeaten record against Honduras going to the semifinals of the Copa America. But the tournament's giant-killers have shown little respect for records. On paper, the hosts should win Thursday's match in a walk. They have experience, home field advantage, the tournament's high scorer and a record of four straight wins without allowing a goal. But the Hondurans have made a habit of unseating the mighty. From last-minute replacements for Argentina, the tiny Central American nation has become the sensation of the tournament after knocking off Bolivia, Uruguay and powerful Brazil. Once more, they are underdogs. Again, they don't care. "Everything about Colombia worries us, but the confidence we have is enormous," said Honduran coach Ramon Maradiaga. Their confidence soared after a 2-0 victory over defending champion Brazil in the quarterfinals. The Hondurans smothered the Brazilians' attack and picked them apart on deadly counterstrikes. "We won't have a single fan in our favor, but we are prepared for anything," Maradiaga said. Few expected the Hondurans to avoid a quick trip home. They came to Colombia a day before their first match, with an improvised squad that was missing its top stars. The team promptly lost Cagliari striker David Suazo to injuries and Oscar Lagos to doping. But Maradiaga produced a cool, disciplined team that was steeled against the tournament's best. The ball-handling talent of Amado Guevara and dribbling skill of Julio Cesar Leon open the field for the lightning strikes of speedy Danilo Turcios and Saul Martinez. On the back line, Samuel Caballero has anchored a surprisingly stingy defense that has given up just one goal in four games. Against Colombia, Honduras won't have defender David Carcamo, who was expelled against Brazil and will be replaced by Junior Izaguirre. Colombia, despite its record, has faced easier opponents than Honduras has. The team played Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela in the first round, then faced modest Peru in the quarterfinals. Although the Hondurans have never played in the Copa America before, Colombia isn't taking them lightly. "Any team that is coming off a victory over Brazil must be addressed as 'sir'," Colombian coach Francisco Maturana said. The Colombian attack will be led by high-scoring Victor Aristizabal, who tallied twice to lead Colombia 3-0 over Peru in the quarterfinals. The Deportivo Cali striker now has five goals for the tournament and is tied for the individual scoring lead with Paulo Wanchope of Costa Rica, which already has been eliminated. Maturana also can count on defender Ivan Ramiro Cordoba and striker Elkin Murillo, who sat out the quarterfinals with one-game suspensions. The team's only absence should be defender German Bedoya, who injured his left foot against Peru. Roberto Carlos Cortes should start in his place.
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