Team Profile: Mexico

MEXICO - Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Coach: Javier Aguirre
Confederation: Concacaf
FIFA Ranking (Nov 09): 15
Previous Appearances: 13 (1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006)

Background

Internationally, few have been the successes of the Mexican national team. "El Tri" has only one official tournament win, being the FIFA Confederations Cup 1999. The Mexicans have participated in the Copa America, but have only managed two losses in the final, first to Argentina in 1993 and Colombia in 2001. Five wins in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, though, provided a welcome distraction.

How They Qualified

A difficult qualification scenario awaited Mexico. The passage started with Hugo Sanchez leaving; he was dismissed after the Under-23 national team failed to qualify for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Sven-Goran Eriksson then over took the team without much success, and after they lost to Honduras hewas fired. Javier Aguirre was next in line, starting badly but reaching World Cup after winning five games and tying one in the hexagonal final.

Strengths

Individual talent, expecially through the middle. The Mexican team has a band of quality players, such as Rafael Marquez in the defense, Cuauhtemoc Blanco in the midfield, and Guillermo Franco up front, elements that are the backbone of coach Javier Aguirre's side.

Weaknesses

Mexico's main weakness is the lack of firepower. The Mexican national team create the chances but can fail to make them count, especially when Guille Franco is off-form. The three coaches who have bossed Mexico recently are still trying out new players to fix this issue.

The Coach

The erudite, self-confident, outgoing Javier Aguirre is a coach who motivates his players, and proved it by rejuvenating matters after Eriksson's departure. His general approach is 4-3-3, but may vary depending on their opponents' movements.

Star Men

Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) - One of the most popular players in Mexican football. He will play the coming months in Veracruz to reach the World Cup in optimal conditions, since Major League Soccer is in its off-season. This veteran but talented player has a precise touch on the ball.

Rafael Márquez (Barcelona) - A solid defender and national team captain. He is a player who can get forward to good effect and is efficient at the back for the national team. His explosive temper has brought problems, however.

Guillermo Franco (West Ham) - An ex-Villarreal striker has had regularity in recent games in English football. The Argentine player is a naturalized Mexican who fights for the ball constantly and is a threat to the rivals.

Best Footballing Moment

Although they qualified for the second round in the last World Cup, the best appearance of Mexico was when they played at home in 1970. They were eliminated in the quarter finals, in the same instance as in 1986. Home truly was sweet home for Mexicans.

Off The Pitch

Famous for: Tequila, a potent drink made by the distillation of the agave plant. Then there are the Mariachi groups who have made regional Mexican music famous the world over.Most likely to: Fulfill a national stereotype. There are going to be tons of typical Mariachi hats in South Africa. You will know them as the sombreros.

World Cup Objetive

The objetive is very clear, and that is to go beyond that bloody fourth game, which has stopped Mexico’s dreams in the last four World Cups. The team will have a concentration period of 60 long days before the World Cup, and will try to get at least to the quarter-finals.