After Alberth Elis finished off a lovely counterattack in the 60th minute of Honduras' quarterfinal win over South Korea, he ran over to the corner flag. But instead of kicking or boxing with the flag or letting his trailing teammates mug him in a hug, Elis held up his hand, then fell to his knees. He raised both arms to the heavens, his teammates following suit in a spiritual tribute from a team that has said it's relying on God to help it reach new heights.
Philosophical questions about God's interest in sporting contests aside, it's clear that something has been on Honduras' side so far in the Olympics. It also seems that there's plenty working in the opposite direction as well. Four years after a physical, entertaining and quality match against Brazil saw Honduras knocked out of the quarterfinal stage of the London Games, it's once again the Brazilians standing in Honduras' path to Olympic glory. This time Brazil is playing at home, and after a disappointing group-stage performance looks to be finding its rhythm as it looks to win the gold medal, one of the only prizes that has eluded the great footballing nation in its history.
The 2012 quarterfinal between the teams was a classic, and Honduras wasn't at all outclassed by the South American power. In London, Mario Martinez volleyed home the opening goal in the 12th minute, giving the Central Americans a shock lead. And though Damiao found a scrappy equalizer, Roger Espinoza's left-footed worm killer put Honduras back on top at the break. But David Velasquez brought down Damiao in the box in the 50th minute, and Neymar converted the spot kick. Damiao once more got the better of the Honduran defense on the hour mark when he got the ball in the box with his back to goal from a Neymar pass. His quick turn sent Jhonny Leveron flying past him, and he was able to finish to hand the favorite a 3-2 advantage.
Honduras pushed for another goal, but it became clear that Honduras would fall short, something all but guaranteed when Espionza was sent off. That second yellow provided us one of the most memorable moments in the Olympic football tournament when, as the midfielder was leaving the field, he was given a standing ovation for an outstanding performance that included a goal and tackle after tackle, recovery after recovery in the center of Los Catrachos' midfield.
This time around, there's no Espinoza, but there is Bryan Acosta, a defensive midfielder already part of the senior team setup. He's not as likely to score a goal as the former Wigan Athletic midfielder was, but he might control the game as well. His tackling is excellent, his positioning sound and the Honduran captain isn't lacking for confidence, either.
"We're not afraid of playing in the Maracana," Acosta told reporters in Rio. "We want the game to start already so we can show what Honduras can do."
Acosta's attitude seems to come from his coach. Jorge Luis Pinto, who also leads Honduras' senior team, knows something about pulling off shock upsets. He managed Costa Rica at the 2014 World Cup, which saw the Ticos advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament after winning a group that contained England, Italy and Uruguay. He also slayed a few giants while leading his home country of Colombia to an early lead in South American World Cup qualification before the team fell off and missed the 2010 tournament.
For Pinto, there are plenty of challenges that Brazil presents, including Barcelona forward Neymar, but nothing new under the sun.
"I am thinking a lot about Neymar and how I can control him. I'm looking for that player to mark him," he said. "I have played against him with Deportivo Tachira and we managed to control him, also with Honduras and we controlled him too."
Acosta says the team is well aware that there are more threats on the team than simply Neymar.
"There won't be special defending on him," Acosta told reporters in Rio de Janeiro. "We've got to focus on the whole team because Brazil is more than just Neymar."
Not only does the team have to deal with Brazil's attack, it also will have to score against a Brazilian back line that hasn't allowed a single goal this tournament.
Luckily for Los Catrachos, it's the attack that his shined so far this tournament. While the team will almost certainly sit back, playing the same physical and defensive brand of soccer that has become Honduras' hallmark on the international stage, it can burst forward with speed and Elis, Romell Quioto and Anthony Lozano.
There's talent in the Honduran ranks, but despite Acosta and Pinto's brave words, Brazil will have the clear edge Wednesday. The Hondurans will be hoping and praying that something is on their side so they can make the gold medal game. It's something that would turn skeptics into believers.
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