‘El Tri’ have been consistent qualifiers for the World Cup, featuring in thirteen altogether and in every one since 1994, but have yet to progress beyond the quarter finals. They have reached the last eight on the two occasions they hosted the competition, in 1970 and 1986.
Mexico will hope that the hype associated with the first World Cup to be held in Africa will distract hosts South Africa ahead of the opening clash between the pair on June 11. A good start is vital for Mexico as France could finish them off in the second game of the group should they fail to take anything out of their Group A opener.
Many of the players in the Mexico squad will be familiar to viewers of European football, such as Barcelona’s Rafael Marquez, Arsenal’s Carlos Vela and West Ham’s Guillermo Franco while all eyes will be on striking sensation Javier Hernandez, who is set to join Manchester United next season.
Star Player: Rafael Marquez
He doesn’t look as intimidating as he used to when he had his ponytail and he’s not quite first choice for Barcelona any longer, but Marquez remains a hugely influential figure for his country. He acts as both a stopper and a libero with his ball playing abilities from the back. His influence will be needed against the likes of Diego Forlan, Franck Ribery and Karim Benzema in the group stages while Mexico fans will welcome additions to the ten goals he has already scored for his country.
Rafael Marquez will be a key figure for Mexico
Manager: Javier Aguirre
Aguirre is currently in his second spell in charge of Mexico, replacing Sven Goran Eriksson in April last year after the Swede spent less than twelve months in charge, winning only one of his last seven competitive games. Aguirre managed Mexico in the 2002 World Cup, where they crashed out to the Unites States in the last sixteen, having topped Group G ahead of Italy and Croatia.
After the World Cup, Aguirre moved onto Osasuna in Spain, where he stayed for four years. In the 2005-06 season he guided the club to fourth place in La Liga, equalling the club’s highest ever position in the League. Osasuna were denied a place in the following season’s Champions League after defeat to Hamburg in the qualifying stages.
Aguirre moved onto Atletico Madrid in 2006 on the back of his success with Osasuna and also achieved success there, leading the club to the Champions League in the 2008/09 season. He was sacked in February of last year, having failed to win a single game in 2009. Many deemed the sacking unfair given Aguirre’s achievements up to that point. Only two months later, however, he was appointed as coach of Mexico.
Prediction: Group stage exit.
Considering that they have got out of the group stage in the last four World Cups, it is brave to suggest that Mexico won’t do so again, but we don’t think so this time around. In spite of their unpredictable nature and their crazy manager, France should have enough star quality to top Group A en route to the last sixteen. That means only one more qualifying berth and we’re backing South Africa to ride a wave of national hysteria and prolong their World Cup adventure to the second round.
Odds: 80/1
Irishness rating:
5/10. They wear green, but the similarities end there I’m afraid.
If they were a car they’d be an…
Alfa Romeo – Looks good, but you wouldn’t rely on it to last the pace in the long haul.
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