(ABOVE) Jose Valladares will guide Honduras during the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras - Jose Valladares is a man of dreams and challenges, not only for himself, but others as well.
Despite being under reported consideration to fill the open senior Nicaragua managerial post recently, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the task of guiding Honduras to a 2015 U-17 World Cup berth.
If Valladares achieves success in that pursuit via the upcoming CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, which his nation is hosting February 27-March 15, he will become the first Honduran to qualify a team twice for the FIFA competition.
Soon, the 52-year-old is expected to finalize his roster with a group of players for which he expects much on and off the field. Valladares realizes astutely that his young Catrachos must be able to rely on something more than football for their futures. Education is a key component in his overall approach.
With the objective of supporting that ideal, he established camps in the regions of Honduras where his squad members reside. This method has been implemented so that the players can continue to attend school and avoid travelling far distances for training. Those living on the North Coast practice in San Pedro Sula with Leonel Flores, while assistant coach Juan Flores Maradiaga works with centrally-based players in Tegucigalpa.
“We do this because they are still children and must go to high school and others to college,” Valladares told CONCACAF.com. “This obligates us to prepare the team not only athletically, but also socially, educationally and formatively.”
In January, the Hondurans trekked to South America for a trio of friendlies against their counterparts from Peru. They both won once (Peru 3-1, Honduras 2-1) and the other match ended in a draw (3-3). Forward Jorge Alvarez scored in each outing.
“It was a great experience,” said Alvarez. “We had a good time as a group. This allowed us to feel united, so that we can achieve in the qualifying tournament in San Pedro Sula for the World Cup in Chile. That is our desire.”
As for his team’s quality, Valladares expressed satisfaction with its pre-tournament performances, its strength on the field and its ability to play any opponent.
Honduras will open CONCACAF play on February 27 against Jamaica at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula.
