Mexico is the most successful national team of the CONACAF (North America and Central America). A patchy performance in the qualifying for the sixth consecutive world cup appearance might lull opponents into a false sense of security. But this Mexican side brimming with quality may surprise few causing some upsets.
Although the Group A with favorites Brazil, Croatia and Cameroon has no reasons to be considered easy, yet Mexico can be tipped to qualify along with Brazil into knock out stage. It will be sixth consecutive and fifteenth overall appearance. Their best performance was reaching quarter finals in 1970 and 1986.
Mexico survived a disastrous qualifying round that witnessed four coaches changed and chopped. Finally El Tri is lucky to be at Brazil. Mexico’s qualification misery was a complete shock as the side went undefeated in 2012 and also won the gold medal at the summer Olympics in London. With the superb form of Mexican youth sides in recent years at international tournaments, it was expected that Mexico will turn into a formidable force at Brazil world cup. But after the sides struggle to qualify fans would be happy to see Mexico advance into knockout round from the Group A.
Mexico is not expected to upset Brazil but should try to control damage through not conceding many goals. However, Herrera’s side desperately needs a victory over the Africans – apparently the weakest in Group A that also features hosts Brazil and Croatia. Cameroon made a huge impression on the world stage in 1990 when Roger Milla emerged as a great star, but that was 24 years ago and much has changed since, though Mexico remain the same mediocre team trying to be more than just one of the juego bonito, or nice game, type of team.
Herrera has selected play a balanced team for the world cup, choosing the best from what he had. Of the final 23-man squad, 16 are based domestically and seven come from European clubs.
The experience comes with Rafa Marquez, Hector Moreno, Jesus Corona, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido, Oribe Peralta and Javier Hernandez combined with youngsters like Carlos Peña, Luis Montes, Raúl Jiménez, Isaac Brizuela, Alan Pulido, Juan Carlos Vazquez and Diego Reyes.
Herrera cleared the way for players such as Giovanni dos Santos, Andres Guardado and Guillermo Ochoa, who were not sure they would be included. Gio and Andres were recovering from injuries and Ochoa's position as goalkeeper was by no means guaranteed. Some players of this group have had the experience of being part of the junior world champions’ teams and London 2012 Olympic gold winners. Herrera's bet is to win his two first matches against Cameroon and Croatia. Nobody is crazy enough to think that Brazil is going to be easy to beat at home but Croatia are ranked higher than Mexico and both teams arrive in Brazil via the play-offs.
As Real Madrid's Croat midfielder Luca Modric said: "I am pretty sure that second place in Group A is for Croatia, no doubt Brazil will be first and for sure, will win the world cup".
And he may be right, since Croatians have players at the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Champions League finals and Mario Mandzukic is also a champion with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, their best men are watching them on TV__ Rafa Marquez of Leon FC just won the local league championship, Oribe struggled to advance with Santos FC to the Mexican league finals and Chicharito is still waiting for an opportunity at Manchester United, just to mention a few.
When Mexico and Croatia confront each other, they will be playing more than a tough match, both playing for second spot in Group A. Taking into account that Croatia has played world cup semi-finals, while Mexico's best performance was the quarter-final against West Germany on home soil in 1986 – before losing on penalties – some may say that the Mexicans are not considered favorites.
Although Herrera is optimistic enough ahead of their meeting with Brazil, and Luis Felipe Scollari admitted that Mexico's style is too rough for them, there's very little chance of any team beating the hosts who will go into the tournament as one of the strongest candidates to win the title.
As expected, the team is Liga MX heavy, with just seven players coming from other leagues. Herrera, who used to manage Club America and has relied heavily on his former players since taking the job in October, picked five players from Las Aguilas, as well as four from Leon.
Giovani dos Santos made the squad, with Herrera banking on him being able to find his international form before Brazil. His inclusion helped keep Javier Aquino off of the team as the squad's biggest omission. Miguel Ponce, Rogelio Chavez, Juan Carlos Venezuela and Enrique Perez were the other players in contention who just missed out although any injuries in training camp could force one of those players onto the team.
The defense is as expected, with Rafael Marquez set to captain his country in a record fourth world cup. He'll be accompanied by fellow veteran Maza Rodriguez, while Hector Moreno and Diego Reyes are two of the European based players to make the squad. Paul Aguilar, Andres Guardado and Miguel Layun give Herrera options at wingback, while Carlos Salcido is a bubble player who was included in the team, likely because his versatility allowed Herrera to call in an extra striker.
In the midfield, there were no major surprises. The players who Herrera has leaned on since taking the job are all there in Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Juan Carlos Medina and Isaac Brizuela. Hector Herrera has played well for Porto to earn his place and Jose Juan Vasquez is in good form, leaving Marco Fabian as the only selection in doubt, but his excellent play for Cruz Azul made it difficult for Herrera to leave him home.
Herrera has opted for five forwards, maybe one more than most expected. Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez is the big name, although his tough season for Manchester United and Oribe Peralta and Raul Jimenez's sparkling form could see Chicharito start on the bench if he doesn't impress in training camp. Alan Pulido's hat trick against South Korea in January, as well as his goal against the United States in April, probably secured his spot on the team, while dos Santos rounds out the forwards with a more creative, dynamic option.
Mexico opens the World Cup on June 13 against Cameroon in Natal. They are also grouped with Brazil and Croatia, making for a very difficult group and, if they do get out, they are likely looking at a Round of 16 matchup with Spain or the Netherlands, so this squad has an incredibly tough road ahead of them.
Goalkeepers: Jesus Corona, Guillermo Ochoa, Alfredo Talavera
Defenders: Paul Aguilar, Andres Guardado, Miguel Layun, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Diego Reyes, Carlos Salcido, Francisco Javier "Maza" Rodriguez
Midfielders: Isaac Brizuela, Marco Fabian, Hector Herrera, Juan Carlos Medina, Luis Montes, Carlos Pena, Jose Juan Vazquez
Forwards: Javier Hernandez, Raul Jimenez, Oribe Peralta, Alan Pulido, Giovani dos Santos
Taking a glimpse at their awful run in the hexagonal, CONCAF’s final qualifying round, it would seem easy to assume that Mexico is going to Brazil to just make the number. But if Mexico is taken lightly on that basis the opponents could be in for a rude awakening. Second place in the group A appear to be wide open leaving Brazil at the top. Cameroon and Croatia do not appear unbeatable sides for Mexico. The quality in the side and youth means Mexico has the potential to raise some eye brows in Brazil.
BDST: 0944 HRS, JUN 05, 2014
