Mexico: the holders are banking on experience
Mexico's Ignacio Hierro Gonzales (6) battles Canada's Paul Peschisolido for a header during first half action of their Gold Cup soccer match February 20 in San Diego.
Photo: JT Lovette, Reuters
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There is something slightly strange in not being able to welcome Mexico's national team to the FIFA Confederations Cup as CONCACAF Champions. They are, however, the Cup holders, having won the trophy on home soil in 1999. "El Tri", as the team is popularly called with reference to the country's tricolour, played out a sovereign tournament, which culminated in a frenetic and much celebrated 4-3 win over Brazil in front of a sell-out crowd in the Aztec Stadium. Yet coach Manuel Lapuente was unable to keep the momentum going the following year, losing a number of friendlies, including one against the USA at the prestigious U.S. Cup, and eventually resigned at the beginning of September, four days after a 7-1 victory over Panama in the World Cup qualifiers. His successor Enrique Meza immediately confirmed the improvement in return in the next competitive game against Trinidad & Tobago when his side hit another seven goals.
Mexico striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco (C) drives the ball between Trinidad & Tobago defenders Dennis Lawrence (L) and Stokely Mason during the CONCACAF qualifying soccer match for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, July 23.
Photo: Heriberto Rodriguez, Reuters
Mexican goal-keeper Jorge Campos stops the ball during a practice session in San Antonio de Belen July 11.
Photo: Juan Carlos Ulate, Reuters
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The team may appear a little moody at times, but thanks to their first-class technique and lightning-fast attacking movements they are capable of beating anyone on their day. The current side has changed little in recent years, which should not be taken to mean that younger players are not being involved. Defender Rafael Marquez of AS Monaco is a shining example of the strength of Mexico's youngsters and also the exception that proves the rule: almost all the Mexican team play their football in the Mexican league, which relieves the coach of the worries that plague his European and South American colleagues and is evident in the large number of games the Mexicans play across the globe.
The backbone of the team and extended arm of the coach is the 33-year-old defender Claudio Suarez, who with around 150 caps is the most experienced player anywhere in the world. In Jorge Campos he is ably backed by a modern-style goalkeeper who stands out not simply because of his brightly coloured kit and occasional forays upfield. Campos has made well over 100 international appearances, as has Ramón Ramirez, and there cannot be many teams able to fall back on a trio with a total of 400 caps between them. In attack Mexico mostly go with the class pairing of Luis Hernandez, he of blonde locks fame, and the lightning-quick Cuauthemoc Blance.
| N° |
Pos |
Popular Name |
Shirt Name |
Club |
D.O.B. |
| [ 1] |
GK |
SANCHEZ Oswaldo |
SANCHEZ |
Guadalajara |
21-Sep-73 |
| [ 2] |
DF |
SUAREZ Claudio |
SUAREZ |
Tigres |
17-Dec-68 |
| [ 3] |
DF |
BELTRAN Joaquin |
BELTRAN |
Pumas UNAM |
29-Apr-77 |
| [ 4] |
DF |
OTEO David |
OTEO |
Tigres |
27-Jul-73 |
| [ 5] |
DF |
DAVINO Duilio |
DAVINO |
America |
21-Mar-76 |
| [ 6] |
MF |
RUIZ Marco Antonio |
M. A. RUIZ |
Guadalajara |
12-Jul-69 |
| [ 7] |
MF |
RANGEL David |
RANGEL |
Toluca |
12-Nov-69 |
| [ 8] |
MF |
RODRIGUEZ Juan Pablo |
RODRIGUEZ |
Atlas |
07-Aug-79 |
| [ 9] |
FW |
ABUNDIS Jose Manuel |
ABUNDIS |
Atlante |
11-Jun-73 |
| [10] |
FW |
BORGETTI Jared |
BORGETTI |
Santos Laguna |
14-Aug-73 |
| [11] |
FW |
OSORNO Daniel |
OSORNO |
Atlas |
16-Mar-79 |
| [12] |
GK |
CABUTO Erubey |
CABUTO |
Atlas |
06-Sep-75 |
| [13] |
DF |
PARDO Pavel |
PARDO |
America |
26-Jul-76 |
| [14] |
MF |
VILLA German |
VILLA |
America |
02-Apr-73 |
| [15] |
FW |
DE NIGRIS Antonio |
A. DE NIGRIS |
Monterrey |
01-Apr-78 |
| [16] |
MF |
COYOTE Alberto |
COYOTE |
Guadalajara |
26-Mar-67 |
| [17] |
DF |
VALDEZ Octavio |
VALDEZ |
Pachuca |
07-Dec-73 |
| [18] |
MF |
VICTORINO Cesareo |
VICTORINO |
Pachuca |
19-Mar-79 |
| [19] |
MF |
REYES Joaquin |
REYES |
Santos Laguna |
20-Feb-78 |
| [20] |
MF |
RUIZ Victor |
V. RUIZ |
Toluca |
07-Jun-69 |
| [21] |
MF |
PEREZ Luis |
L. PEREZ |
Necaxa |
12-Jan-81 |
| [22] |
DF |
CHAVEZ Hugo |
CHAVEZ |
Atletico Morelia |
16-Oct-76 |
| [23] |
GK |
DAUTT Oscar |
DAUTT |
Puebla |
08-Jun-76 |
|
