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MEXICO CITY, June 18 (Reuters) - Mexican football authorities announced on Monday what they described as an "emergency plan" to save their beleaguered national team, but refused to say what measures it involved.

Mexico are in crisis after they lost 2-1 at home to Costa Rica in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday, their first-ever defeat in a World Cup match at the Azteca stadium. It was their fifth straight defeat after they lost 4-0 to England in a friendly international and were then beaten by South Korea, Australia and France - the latter by another 4-0 scoreline - in the Confederations Cup.

"I think we must continue working but we will take the necessary measures for Mexico to improve," said Alberto de la Torre, president of the Mexican Football Federation (FMF). He would not elaborate further and, when asked if under-fire coach Enrique Meza would keep his job, he replied: "I don't know".

Mexico have slumped to fifth in the final stage of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying competition from which only three teams qualify. They face a difficult match away to Honduras on Wednesday.