2011 sees Mexico competing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, but El Tri need to be ready for their moment if they are willing to stand out. Their Paraguay friendly should evidently help them in their preparations.
Two years have almost passed since Mexico last held a trophy—the Gold Cup. Loyal supporters could still have fresh memories of their success at continental level, but this does not appear to be enough to convince them upon the authority of their national team.
A poor run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, tarnished by a drop of controversy in the Last 16 against Argentina, could only be described as the outcome of a disappointing performance. Surely the source of the Central Americans’ problem lied in the performers’ style of play, but then, the manager turned into the real one to blame.
Former coach Javier Aguirre was heavily pounded next to his decisions to apply outrageous surprises to his side’s line-up in South Africa. However, knowing how his days ended with The Tricolour, newly-appointed boss José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre would not want to follow in his footsteps. Chepo is not ignorant about the ensuing reward that would meet him if he manages to guide the team within the path of pride: a go at the 2014 World Cup.
As this might entice pressure, it might also be his wish. What matters now to advance stages after stages is to get the job done in each step, and the Mexico vs Paraguay encounter today will be a good opportunity for the country and the FA to judge their coach’s skills.
Former Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos—who is set to make an appearance along with other legends including Jared Borgetti, Luis Hernandez and Zague before the encounter—emphasized de la Torre’s need to take firm control of the team and form his plans with no delay. He said: “He has to see them (his players), how they're going to play, what style he's going to play.”
Campos also accentuated on the necessity of a revolution in Mexican football, under the leadership of Chepo. The retired goalie asserted that El Tri “always came close”, but rarely reached the finish line. “Now we have to do something different,” he declared.
The hosts have some advantages ahead of the Mexico vs Paraguay friendly, since Manchester United’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Racing Santander’s Giovanni dos Santos are both fit to start the game. Chepo has additionally called back Celtic’s Efrain Juarez and West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Vela, whilst goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is expected to receive another chance to prove himself in the national team, after poor displays in his last two matches for Mexico.
It looks like the former Toluca and Guadalajara coach is already winning the hearts of his hungry scrutinizers through his promising decisions and enlistment, and Campos is excited to see how the boys will begin their project to reform the Mexican team. "They have to make the difference," he affirmed. "They are playing on the best teams in Europe. That combination can be really good for Mexico, we hope."
A poor run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, tarnished by a drop of controversy in the Last 16 against Argentina, could only be described as the outcome of a disappointing performance. Surely the source of the Central Americans’ problem lied in the performers’ style of play, but then, the manager turned into the real one to blame.
Former coach Javier Aguirre was heavily pounded next to his decisions to apply outrageous surprises to his side’s line-up in South Africa. However, knowing how his days ended with The Tricolour, newly-appointed boss José Manuel “Chepo” de la Torre would not want to follow in his footsteps. Chepo is not ignorant about the ensuing reward that would meet him if he manages to guide the team within the path of pride: a go at the 2014 World Cup.
As this might entice pressure, it might also be his wish. What matters now to advance stages after stages is to get the job done in each step, and the Mexico vs Paraguay encounter today will be a good opportunity for the country and the FA to judge their coach’s skills.
Former Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos—who is set to make an appearance along with other legends including Jared Borgetti, Luis Hernandez and Zague before the encounter—emphasized de la Torre’s need to take firm control of the team and form his plans with no delay. He said: “He has to see them (his players), how they're going to play, what style he's going to play.”
Campos also accentuated on the necessity of a revolution in Mexican football, under the leadership of Chepo. The retired goalie asserted that El Tri “always came close”, but rarely reached the finish line. “Now we have to do something different,” he declared.
The hosts have some advantages ahead of the Mexico vs Paraguay friendly, since Manchester United’s Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez and Racing Santander’s Giovanni dos Santos are both fit to start the game. Chepo has additionally called back Celtic’s Efrain Juarez and West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Vela, whilst goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is expected to receive another chance to prove himself in the national team, after poor displays in his last two matches for Mexico.
It looks like the former Toluca and Guadalajara coach is already winning the hearts of his hungry scrutinizers through his promising decisions and enlistment, and Campos is excited to see how the boys will begin their project to reform the Mexican team. "They have to make the difference," he affirmed. "They are playing on the best teams in Europe. That combination can be really good for Mexico, we hope."
