Mexico and Uruguay need only a draw in their Group A match today to qualify for the next round of the World Cup, so both may choose to field more defensive lineups.
Mexico and Uruguay each have four points, while South Africa and France both have one point apiece. So both France and the hosts will be eliminated from the World Cup if Mexico and Uruguay draw.
Mexico have fielded attacking lineups in their two previous matches, in a 4-3-3 formation. The strategy has won praise from pundits and other teams. Paraguay coach Gerardo Martino has said Mexico are the best team he’s seen at the tournament so far.
PHOTO: AFP
The biggest decision Mexico coach Javier Aguirre will have to make for today’s match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium is who will be in his forward line.
Aguirre may choose to go with youngster Javier Hernandez over veteran Guillermo Franco, who started in Mexico’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in the opening match and the 2-0 win over France, but it was the 22-year-old Hernandez who made the headlines when he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather — who scored in the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland — by scoring the opening goal as a substitute against France.
Carlos Vela, who also started in the two previous matches, is a doubt with a right leg injury. Aguirre may decide to go with Pablo Barrera, the forward who replaced Vela when he got injured late in the first half against France.
Barrera impressed against France in his first World Cup appearance and is a strong candidate to fill in if needed.
“I’m happy because it’s my first World Cup,” he said. “It was my debut and we won. It’s the best thing that can happen to you.”
The forward believes Mexico shouldn’t be planning for a draw, but instead chase victory.
“We have to go for the three points to be certain about qualifying,” Barrera said. “We have to always do our best in each match and of course we want the three points.”
Mexico have an inferior goal difference to Uruguay, meaning they will finish second in the group in the event of a draw and would then be likely to face a dominant Argentina in the round-of-16.
Uruguay were talking tough before the match.
“Mexico will be a difficult rival just as all the teams in the World Cup,” defender Diego Godin said. “They play good football, but we have the weapons to destroy their game and we know how to cause them damage.”
Uruguay have played well defensively and not conceded a goal in their two matches. The first match was a drab 0-0 draw against France, then Uruguay beat South Africa 3-0.
Godin hopes Uruguay can keep up their defensive record against Mexico, saying a draw would suffice.
“We have not conceded a goal so far and that is very important,” he said. “If we do the same against Mexico, then we will have progressed to the next round and anything can happen from then on.”
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez may be tempted to rest striker Diego Forlan to be ready for the next round. Forlan scored twice in the victory against South Africa and set up the other.
Group A
Team | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
Uruguay | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 |
Mexico | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
France | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
South Africa | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 |
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