Sunday, November 15, 2009

An A-Z of Valladares - N is for Noel



The flying goalkeeper pictured here failing to save a penalty is Noel Eduardo Valladares, one of the heroes of the Honduran national football team that recently qualified for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

Fortunately, he tends to save more than he lets in, which may explain why he has earned nearly seventy caps for his country, and why Honduras had the best defensive record in the final CONCACAF qualifying phase - all important when you consider that they edged out Costa Rica on goal difference. So, watch out for him, as it might be Wayne Rooney and the boys who are trying to beat him next year!

Oh, and that penalty? It was against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, it was well struck and at that altitude it does fly a bit quicker...

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