Andy Najar wasn’t called up to the Honduran national teamfor a pair of recent World Cup qualifying matches, but that doesn’t mean the19-year-old D.C. United midfielder isn’t intently following every step of Los Catrachos bid to qualify for Brazil2014.
“I’m really hoping qualifying goes well,” Najar said earlierthis week. “I hope the guys thatwere called up play well. Thistime I didn’t get the chance, but I’m happy for the guys that did.”
Honduras is among the favorites to claim one of CONCACAF’s threespots in Brazil despite a slow start to the third round of qualifying. After falling at home to Panama, Hondurancoach Luis Fernando Suarez saw his side earn its first point in Group C play onTuesday in Canada. United captainDwayne De Rosario featured for the Canadians in that match, and wouldn’t mindseeing his club teammate join him in CONCACAF play.
“I’d definitely like to see a guy like Andy there,” DeRosaid Thursday after returning from a nearly three-week qualifying stint with Canada. “If he potentially gets called up tothe Honduran team I think it would be good for him and his confidence.”
“Of course I’d like to be there,” acknowledged Najar, whoearned his first senior cap last September against Colombia. “It’s a big deal for a player and youhave to want to be there to represent your country and give your all for it.”
Najar played a critical role for the Honduran Under-23 sidethat qualified for the Olympics in early April, assisting on the game-winninggoal that assured a spot in the regional finals and passage to London. Since then Suarez hasn’t called Najarinto his full national side, but the Colombian manager – who also coaches theHonduran U-23’s - still has high hopes for the D.C. United academy product.
“There are times when the whole world thinks Andy shouldalready be in the national team,” Suarez said during a recent visit to D.C. fora friendly against El Salvador. “Ithink he has the quality to be in the national team, but he also needs tocomplete a process that all normal players go through.”
Honduras continues its qualification effort later this fallwith consecutive matches against Cuba. Los Catrachos travel to Havana(9/7), before returning to San Pedro Sula (9/11).
