Mexico’s Gold Cup chances could take a hit after Wednesday’s tune-up game with Honduras.
Star forward Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez left the scoreless draw with a collarbone injury.
“We still don’t have a report,” Mexico head coach Miguel Herrera said through a translator. “Yes, there’s an impact, but we’re just thinking about what’s ahead. This is an unfortunate situation we cannot fix. With Chicharito, he was going through a great moment in his career and the injury came; but we’re just moving on.”
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Chicharito left in the 41st minute after a collision with Brayan Beckeles and was taken to a hospital to evaluate the injury. Hernandez has 40 goals for the Mexican national team in 75 appearances.
If ruled out, Hernandez would join defender Hector Moreno, who broke his left leg in a 2-2 draw Costa Rica on Saturday, as injury scratches for the Gold Cup.
“Yes, it affects the teammates,” Herrera said. “We still keep working. Yes, an extraordinary player falls, but we keep moving ahead.”
Mexico controlled the flow of play and came close to scoring twice in the first half through Carlos Vela. The forward hit the goal post twice. Mexico enjoyed a late flurry as played loosened up, but overall it was an uneven performance.
“Maybe the first half wasn’t so good, but the second half was better,” Herrera said. “There were plays that were not successful. We’ll just keep working. The team looks good, looks concentrated.”
Under head coach Jorge Luis Pinto the young Honduras team showed strong defense against a veteran-laden Mexico squad, but Honduras struggled to get any attack going early. Eventually, Honduras managed 11 shots.
Maynor Figueroa and Andy Najar had shots from inside the box in the 79th minute, but both were cleared off the goal line.
“There are things we’re working on,” Pinto said through a translator. “It was a game that both teams played equal. Maybe we could’ve had better possession of the ball, but we fought the game and didn’t play this as a friendly. We played it like it was a very important game and was a good preparation for the Gold Cup.”
Mexico begin Gold Cup play on Thursday next week in Chicago against Cuba. Honduras open the tournament against the US on Tuesday next week in Frisco, Texas.
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