MIAMI, Florida – There is just something about big-time Honduran National Team matches that brought the best out of Carlo Costly.
The FW scored many a memorable goal, whether it was in Concacaf World Cup Qualifying, Gold Cup or even in a FIFA World Cup, where he scored Honduras’ first World Cup goal in 32 years in a 2-1 defeat to Ecuador at Brazil 2014.
Now retired from the National Team, the legendary Catracho striker still keeps close tabs on the squad, and with Concacaf WCQ for Qatar 2022 on the horizon and Honduras qualified as one of the five teams for the final round, Costly is optimistic that under the guidance of Head Coach Fabian Coito, a fourth World Cup is in Honduras’ future.
“I think Coach Coito is doing well. I think he’s a good manager and I think in the last few matches we have watched that he’s done a good job with all the players,” said Costly in an interview with Concacaf.com.
“I do see Honduras going to another World Cup. We see now that the large majority of the players are young, with the exception of players like Maynor [Figueroa] and Emilio [Izaguirre]. There are good players and there is a future in which we can aspire to go to another World Cup, which is everyone’s wish,” added Costly.
Costly formed part of a generation that lifted Honduras to new heights in international football. Costly was a hugely important piece of the Honduras squad that qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, playing in 16 matches and scoring six goals.
That was then followed by a series of star-studded performances for the Catrachos in qualifying for Brazil 2014, with seven goals in 13 matches, including the game-winning goal in Honduras’ historic 2-1 win over Mexico in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, helping Honduras become just the second team to win a Concacaf WCQ on Mexican soil.
But now a new generation of players are looking to follow in Costly’s footsteps, and the 38-year-old believes the young attacking talent is there to lead Honduras forward.
“In addition to Jorge Benguche, Brayan Moya is a great player. He can shoot with both feet, very technical, he’s a great player. Jonathan Toro is a really good young player and can help the national team qualify for a World Cup.
“They are all processes and it’s important to take care of all the small details. I think Coach Coito is a great manager to see the characteristics of each player, and I think looking to the next World Cup those players will develop well,” said Costly.
Still, the road to Qatar 2022 will surely pose as a challenge to Honduras, despite being placed in the final round of qualifying thanks to a top-5 FIFA ranking within Concacaf.
In particular, Costly notes that the teams from the Caribbean can wreak havoc, evidenced by both Jamaica and Haiti reaching the semifinals of last summer’s Gold Cup.
“I think the Caribbean teams have grown a lot. Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago have all grown. There are several national teams growing, with players who play in Europe and the U.S. They are strong players, and I think it has a lot to do with our mentality because when we face a Haiti or Guadeloupe, we look at the name and we relax a bit, so we need to focus more on being efficient and being focused in matches,” concluded Costly.
