World Cup Preview - Group A - Mexico
Nickname: “El Tri”FIFA ranking - 15th
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Game Schedule:
June 11 – Mexico vs. South Africa (10 a.m. EST, ESPN)
June 17 – Mexico vs. France (7:30 a.m., ESPN2)
June 22 – Mexico vs. Uruguay (10 a.m., ESPN)
Prospects: Mexico have just about recovered from Sven Goran Ericksson's disastrous reign as manager, which saw them perilously close to missing out on qualification for SA2010. They eventually rallied under Aguirre's leadership to finish fourth in the CONCACAF group. The bad news for El Tri fans is that the former Mexico midfielder seems stuck on running out the veterans instead of bringing on the impressive crop of youngsters such as Nery Castillo and Arsenal's Carlos Vela, who are typically relegated to roles off the bench. That means we'll be treated to more patented "Bunny Hops" from Chicago Fire's Cauhtemoc Blanco in South Africa.
Key Player: Stuttgart's wily veteran Ricardo Osorio.
Youngster to watch: 20 year old keeper Guillermo Ochoa is about the safest pair of hands that Mexico have ever had.
Who Will Get the Goals: Deportivo La Coruna striker Andres Guardado is the man to hate in the Mexico squad but he does have a nose for goal - and a penchant for flopping in the box.
Who Will Get the Cards: Thuggish Barca center back Rafael Marquez has lost more than a step, which means he'll be even more likely to put the boot in when necessary.
Prediction: After being knocked out in a 2006 Round of 16 thriller, Mexico won't be happy to see them pop up again. Predictably, out at the second hurdle.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 9:16 AM
5 Comments:
Beaten into third place by the hosts!
I could definitely see that, Dave. It all depends on that opening match on June 11 and the effect of the dreaded "Vuvuzela" horns on the Mexican players. Can't wait!
A steward's inquiry will be necessary if SA qualify ahead of the Mexicans. The Bafana-Bafana will need the crowd to convert their vuvuzuelas to shoot blow darts to advance against any of France, Mexico, and surprise package Uruguay. If the Mexicans are looking over their shoulder, it's over their shoulder and down south to Montevideo.
El Tri are fighters and I just can't see them going out in the group stage. It must be a big worry that Dos Santos, Vela, and Castillo have all crapped out of the Premier league like they did, but some consolation that Salicido, Orsorio, and Galindo all could make a claim for inclusion in a list of the top-ten defenders in the Bundesliga.
I'll defer to Sir Trev, but is Franco still in the frame? He's older and not very composed in front of goal.
And Blanco? He's still in the frame? Hmmm, that would be an entirely sentimental choice by Aguirre who doesn't look the type. Expect to hear Blanco's cave-man mumbled Spanish from the studio in Mexico more like.
My apologies for thinking that Franco was a youngster. Gooner's absolutely right - he's relatively ancient - if well preserved - at 33.
In any case, I'm really enjoying the pre-WC banter in these threads and I hope it keeps up over the next few weeks. As you've already seen, I'm hardly the definitive voice on these matters; however, I am nothing but enthusiastic!
Franco made the provo squad but the shocker is that Blanco did too. Born in 1971. He's 39 years old! If he wasn't a complete and utter wanker, he'd be my hero for his longevity.
I forgot to mention their supersub, Sabeh, but it doesn't matter because he's not listed on the provisional squad. Must be injured because that fool is deadly for 15-20 minutes. If he's not in a coma, el Tri have some 'splaining to do about why he's not included.
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