Mexico did not struggle much against El Salvador at Estadio Azteca and defeated them 3-0 in the opening game of the World Cup Qualifiers with their new coach Juan Carlos Osorio. Now Osorio and his players have a much bigger challenge against Honduras away from home.
Historically, Mexico has been superior to Honduras with 12 wins, seven draws and six losses against Honduras. History also tells that visiting Honduras has become a complicated test for El Tri, where they have only won in one of their most recent four visits to enemy territory.
Osorio knows that he needed the victory against El Salvador to work with a little bit of less pressure from the media and mexican fans heading into their second game. While the 3-0 scoreboard made it seem like an easy game for Mexico from the outside, it was not all fun and pretty from Osorio's point of view.
"We had a lot of possibilities, the team was consistent and efficient in the last third," Osorio said after he game on Friday. "There will be games where we don't have as many options and we have to finish better."
Osorio felt that his team controlled the game almost on its entirety but lacked the finishing touch, specially from Javier Hernández who could become Mexico's all-time leading scorer if he finds the back of the net soon. Raúl Jimenez also created some interesting chances coming in as a sub in the second half.
Andres Guardado, Hector Herrera and Real Sociedad's Carlos Vela were the ones who scored the goals for Mexico in less than 60 minutes of play. It was Vela's 15th goal with the national team and his first in qualifiers after he missed the whole process to Brazil 2014.
Honduras is desperate to get a win before things get complicated. They were shocked by Canada in their opening game with only one goal by the Canadian side. Now they come back home hoping to get a good amount of support from their fans to make Mexico feel uncomfortable.
Their best weapon is that, playing at home, specially at San Pedro Sula, where Mexico has not been able to come out with a win in 50 years. It has never mattered how well Mexico comes when they go into the Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano, they always suffer there. Last time El Tri came out victorious was in 1965.
Honduras can see this as the perfect motivation to keep history on their side. They know that when they have to visit Mexico it won't be pretty and they know that starting the World Cup Qualifiers with a 0-2 record is not too optimistic moving forward.
There was nothing to feel pleased about in their opening game against Canada. They team made way too many mistakes and there did not seem to be a clear idea of how they wanted things done. That needs to change if they want to play well against a team where Osorio loves order and gives his players specific instructions about what to do.
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