San Pedro Sula: The start of the mind games? Or just opportunistic advertising? As the Socceroos walked out of the tunnel at their Estadio Francisco Morazan training ground, they were confronted with the sight of a giant Honduras jersey that covered nearly an entire bay.

The interest around the Australian team only grew during its second training session in the industrial capital of San Pedro Sula, where the turn out from local fans and journalists swelled from the opening day. As the number of cameras doubled in the eastern grandstand, three days before their World Cup qualifying play-off against Honduras, a provocative banner was unveiled across the western seats.

Bold declaration: The Socceroos are left in no doubt whose home turf it is. Credit:AP

A large-scale white jersey with the blue "H" of Honduras faced the players' tunnel, the coaches and staff's bench and the media. While the attention surrounding the Australians has made them appear instant rock stars in San Pedro Sula, it was a firm reminder of the true reason why the Socceroos are in Central America and find themselves in a two-legged game of roulette with Honduras.

Was it an attempt to intimidate the Socceroos? If so, it certainly went against the warm welcome and hospitality the Australians have received thus far. It was a bold declaration of support for the hosts at a venue reserved solely for the visitors this week as a banner usually reserved for match day supporters was flashed in the face of only the Socceroos. It will appear again at the Estadio Olimpico on match day – where Honduras will train all week – but then it may be lost in a sea of blue and white and a hostile wall of noise.