Mexico – World Cup Preview

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Mexico head to South Africa under the guidance of Javier Aguirre who has managed to shake things up since the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson last year. Things were a little bit of a mess before Aguirre stepped in and he’s managed to blend some exciting young players with the Mexico staples.

Qualification has been convincing too, Mexico notched up a 5-0 win over Bolivia in the run up and have beaten South Africa, North Korea and recently current World Cup champions Italy 2-1 in a friendly.

This is Aguirre’s second stint in charge of Mexico and he is proving popular and getting results. Up front Javier Hernandez is hitting form at only 22, scoring 7 times in just 12 starts. Accompanying Hernandez, Giovani dos Santos and Carlos Vela are to battle it out for places in the forward line, both players are 21.

At the other end of the scale Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 37 is also going to South Africa to compete for a striking position.

This mix of old and young continues throughout the team and it’s a radical tactic at this level, yet it’s also one that seems to be working. The centre of the park should be fairly sparse as Aguirre is taking only five out and out midfielders, including Gerardo Torrado, Israel Castro and the less experienced Andres Guardado.

At the back skipper Rafael Marquez of Barcelona, alongside Carlos Salcido should provide the cool head and experience needed to support the younger defenders in the squad. The likes of Efrain Juarez and Hector Moreno may need marshalling.

Mexico’s group will prove no easy thing to escape, with France holding the most threat and a strong Uruguay team also in there. Second place in the group is achievable but it will a tough tussle against Uruguay despite Mexico’s consistent form in the World Cup.