Time zone: US/Eastern | Register | Login
Search:

Mexico Team Profile – 2010 World Cup

Angela Asante, June 17 2010,
In LiveSoccerTV.com's in-depth look at every single 2010 World Cup participant, we take you from South Africa to Mexico, the 14th largest independent country in the entire world.

Mexico - Palenque
Related Content:
FIFA World Cup
Related Articles: Mexico, 2010 World Cup
Mexico – the country, the football

Located in North America, the United Mexican States – officially known as Mexico – is a Spanish-speaking country. It is situated just beneath the USA and it is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west and on the south. The Caribbean Sea, Guatemala, and Belize as well as the Gulf of Mexico all surround the nearly 2,000,000 km² territory. It is populated by over 110 million inhabitants according to statistics and therefore, it ranks among the top 15 in the world in terms of the population size.

Mexico has a large culture originating from diverse ancient civilizations such as the Maya, the Toltec, the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, and the Aztec. The people of Mexico suffered from the invasion and the rule of the Spanish in the 16th century which lasted for up to three hundred years. Despite becoming independent in 1821, Mexico struggled through dictatorship, civil war, economic instability, and many other miseries.

 

However, if the country’s political system and drug-related violence concerns have being inflicting more anguish than hope in the hearts of Mexicans, at least the nation can find joy, glory, and pride as they stand united behind El Tri – Mexico’s national team of football. Eight CONCACAF championship titles (including the most recent one in 2009), one Confederations Cup trophy, and a host of bronze and silver medals in both of these two competitions as well as in the Copa America have made Mexico one of the best footballing nations on the planet.

Surprisingly, their record in previous World Cup tournaments is unsatisfying, not to mention disastrous. Reaching the finals of the World Cup have almost never been an issue for Mexico, but going past the quarter-finals has proven to be impossible for them. South Africa 2010 could see the 2009 CONCACAF champions enjoy their best ever World Cup tournament.

Mexico – the road to the 2010 World CupMexico's youngsters celebrate in joy as El Tri score seven past Belize

Second Round

In accordance with CONCACAF’s World Cup qualification format, Mexico kicked off their campaign from the Second Round which was only comprised of a home and away tie. Mexico were paired against Belize whom they had to meet on June 15th and June 22nd of the year 2008. At everyone’s expectations, they thrashed their opponents 9-0 on aggregate to progress to the Third Round of qualifiers.

Third Round

Mexico were subsequently drawn in Group 2 along with Jamaica, Canada, and tough side Honduras. El Tri faced their CONCACAF rivals Honduras in the first match of the Round 3 which was scheduled for August 21st. At the Mexicans' relief, El Tri beat Los Catrachos 2-1 at the Estadio Azteca to start on a very good note. Mexico pursued with a 3-0 victory and a 2-1 win at home to Jamaica and Canada respectively.

However, they quickly stumbled to a miserable run of matches without a single victory in the second part of the Third Round of qualifiers. Between the months of October and November 2008, Mexico surprisingly lost 1-0 away to Jamaica and Honduras with an unconvincing 2-2 draw in Canada separating those two defeats. Still, Mexico qualified as runners-up of Group 2; ten points and a positive goal difference proved enough for El Tri to pass into the Fourth and final round of the qualification campaign.

Fourth Round

Trinidad & Tobago, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and the United States had all made it with Mexico into the last stage. The rule explained that the top three would automatically qualify into the finals of the World Cup whereas the fourth-placed team would go into a play-off with the nation that would finish fifth in the CONMEBOL zone.

New Mexico Coach Javier Aguirre celebrate silently after Mexico clinch a much needed winMexico’s internal club and managerial problems were so intense that El Tri’s results were an image of it. They commenced with a 2-0 defeat against bitter rivals USA and their victory against Costa Rica on March 28th was quickly followed by a thumping 3-1 defeat away to Honduras again. In April, Mexico’s Football Federation decided to take a new direction by sacking Sweden’s Sven-Goran Eriksson and appointing Mexican native Javier Aguirre as the coach of the country's national football team.

The former Atletico Madrid manager started with a 2-1 loss away to El Salvador. However, he quickly worked out his wisdom on El Tri with five victories on the trot and a draw to round up his side's qualification campaign; one of those five victories included a famous 2-1 win against rivals USA at the Estadio Azteca. In the end, Mexico – who also won the Gold Cup tournament in between time – sealed their place in the finals of the World Cup in South Africa with a game to go. They qualified in second, just behind the USA, with 19 points from ten games.

Mexico – 2010 World Cup group stages

As a country located in North America, Mexico were put in Pot 2 during the draws for the World Cup that were held on December 4, 2009; this section also included countries from Asia and Oceania. Whether fortunately or not, the reigning Gold Cup champions fell in Group A where they’ll have to meet the hosts, South Africa. The likes of Uruguay and France complete this particular section.

Match-day One: South Africa vs MexicoMexico Coach Javier Aguirre instructs his men during a training session

The Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg will be the home of several games and the first of those will see Mexico clashing up against South Africa in the opening game of the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament, at 14:00 GMT. Javier Aguirre’s men will surely be under a lot of pressure created by the expected multitude of South African supporters that will fill the seats of the stadium.

But El Tri, who overcame intimidation in Honduras under the leadership of coach Javier Aguirre, might not give in that easily. Beating the hosts in their first match could prove to be very significant and they’ll be hoping for this to happen come June 11th. But will it? It's for us to wait and see what that day will bring.

Match-day Two: France vs Mexico

Six days later, Mexico will come up against France at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane in a late kick off (18:30 GMT). The intensity in that game will surely be set at a very high level. Mexico are the current champions of the Gold Cup trophy but they may also carry in their minds that France, despite all their recent struggles, were runners-up at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

For Mexico, winning on the second match-day of the tournament will be extremely vital. In their thirteen World Cup appearances since 1930, Mexico suffered a first round exit at seven occasions. Even though they’ve never bowed out from the group stages since 1978, Mexico will not allow room for complacency. Playing fearlessly is a must for Javier Aguirre and the coach will be pleased to see his side top the 1998 World Cup champions France at the end of the ninety minutes.

Match-day Three: Mexico vs Uruguay

It will be more of a Latin affair on June 22nd when Mexico face Uruguay in Rustenburg at 14:00 GMT. If Mexico had not enjoyed a good end to their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign, they might have met Uruguay at the expense of Costa Rica in the play-offs.

But this was not to happen. Instead, both countries will face each other in the last match-day in Group A at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium which has 42,000 seats.

Mexico – 2010 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers:

Oscar Perez; Memo Ochoa, Luis Ernesto Michel

Defenders:

Paul Aguilar; Efrain Juarez; Rafael Marquez; Hector Moreno; Ricardo Osorio; Carlos Salcido; Francisco Rodriguez

Midfielders:

Andres Guardado; Jonny Magallon; Israel Castro; Gerardo Torrado; Jorge Torres Nilo

Strikers:

Carlos Vela; Guillermo Franco; Pablo Barrera; Alberto Medina; Adolfo Bautista; Cuauhtemoc Blanco; Giovani Dos Santos; Javier Hernandez

Mexico – Expectations from the country and the men to watch

So many times, El Tri tried to win the planet’s most prestigious sport title, the World Cup trophy. In the nineteen previous editions, Mexico appeared thirteen times but their best ever finishes have been the quarter-final stage. Statistics tell that Mexico have had almost no problem reaching the finals of the World Cup throughout their history of football.

But their experiences in the tournament have brought more disappointment than pride, as if the CONCACAF region could not produce giants that are capable of competing well at the highest level. The eight-time Gold Cup winners would definitely want to affirm their potential and reach the skies in South Africa.

Some might argue that El Tri’s current squad is the best ever in Mexico’s history; but the most important thing for the players themselves will be to perform and not to deceive the trust and faith that over 100,000,000 Mexicans over the world have in them.

Mexican coach Javier Aguirre gestures during a matchCurrently, Mexico possess a mixed team (in terms of age size) that has found strength and confidence since the 2009 Gold Cup triumph that was engineered by Javier Aguirre. At the World Cup in South Africa, Mexican fans will rely on a few big names to play the trick in El Tri’s already unified squad.

Javier Aguirre

The Mexican born manager has been a true revelation for his side since his appointment back in April 2009. Despite losing his first match in charge of the club, Javier Aguirre kept his fingers crossed and finally enjoyed gladness though the road to success was tough. Aguirre’s belief in his players uplifted the Mexican national team to good standards in the year 2009.

But the former Atletico Madrid boss, who also guided Mexico to the final of the Copa America in 2001 and to the last sixteen of the World Cup in 2002, is yet to offer the prestigious gold and green World Cup trophy to his people.

Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos SantosMexican young duo, Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos together in celebration as Mexico scores

They are young, talented, and they’ve proven to be a real sensation in the colors of their country, Mexico. The duo inject a lot passion in Mexico’s football with their pace and eyes for goals.

Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos have been playing a major role for El Tri under Javier Aguirre. South Africa 2010 will see them participating for the first time in the finals of a major World Cup competition. Like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lucas Podolski did during the 2006 World Cup for Portugal and Germany respectively, Carlos Vela and Giovanni dos Santos could have a positive influence on Mexico that will captivate the entire public of football.

Mexico – Relevant quotes

Mexico coach, Javier Aguirre: History is no longer a factor

“We’ll have to face three opponents that all have their unique style. […] Even if our group indeed contains two former World Cup winners, I believe that from the moment my players step on the pitch, history is no longer a factor.”

Mexico – World Cup record

They’ve been to the finals of a World Cup thirteen times; South Africa 2010 will be number fourteen. However, Mexico are certainly yet to achieve the expectations that they’ve set for themselves.

United Mexico celebrate together as El Tri scores and win2010: Qualified

2006, 2002, 1998, 1994: Round 2

1986, 1970: Quarter-finals

1978, 1966, 1962, 1958, 1954, 1950, 1930: Round 1

After all they went through since the year 2007, Mexico finally restored their pride at the regional level. They’ll enter the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as CONCACAF champions after stealing the trophy away from former winners the USA in emphatic fashion back in July.

Javier Aguirre amazingly changed El Tri’s fate from bad to glorious in less than a year. Confidence and pride are therefore high in Mexico ahead of the first ever World Cup tournament staged in Africa. But how long will these feelings last?

Inform yourself on Mexico’s World Cup campaign on LiveSoccerTV.com as the site covers the entire tournament from June 11 to July 11!


 

Related Articles

Member Sign In »

Username Password
Forgot Password | Remember
Not a Member Yet? Register Now