WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN- TEAM MEXICO
MEXICO
Heading into 2013, Mexico had plenty
of momentum coming into a very busy year that included the Confederations Cup,
World Cup qualifying, and the Gold Cup. After falling flat in both summer
tournaments, El Tri limped through qualification, only making it by virtue of a
playoff against New Zealand in November. Now that they have qualified, they
must figure out how to get back on track in time for Brazil 2014, or their time
at the World Cup will be very brief.
WHO GOT THEM THERE
Javier Hernández, F, Manchester United: The poster boy for Mexican soccer struggled for his
country in 2013, but he still has shown he can pop up with key goals when
needed. After bursting onto the scene at the 2010
World Cup, Mexico will likely go only as far next summer as
Chicharito can take them.
Oribe Peralta, F, Santos Laguna: Led Mexico in scoring during qualification, including a hat trick in the second leg of the
playoff against New Zealand. Showed at the 2012 Olympics, where he scored in
the gold medal match, that he can perform in the big occasion, and if he is
healthy, could prove to be Mexico’s secret weapon in Brazil.
Giovani dos Santos, F, Villarreal: Like Hernandez, dos Santos struggled for his country in
2013, but when he is in form, he is clearly a difference maker for Mexico. Now
that he has settled at a club in Spain and is getting regular minutes,
he will play a big role for El Tri at the World Cup.
THE COACH
Miguel Herrera, hired on an interim basis in October 2013, was given a
simple task: Win the intercontinental playoff and get Mexico to the World Cup.
He did that successfully, defeating New Zealand by an aggregate score of 9-3
while using a squad completely composed of domestic-based players. He made
waves by calling up mostly Club América players for the playoff, as he was
familiar with them as coach of the team, but his gambit was ultimately successful.
Herrera’s temporary appointment
capped off a tumultuous two months where four men coached Mexico in World
Cup qualifiers. Now that he's been retained as coach for the World
Cup itself, Herrera will be expected to not only prepare Mexico for the
tournament, but also restore pride to a team that essentially fell at every
hurdle in 2013.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
WCQ record: 5-2-3, 11pts / 7 GF, 9
GA (fourth place in CONCACAF, winner of CONCACAF-Oceania playoff)
Mexico were nearly knocked out of
the playoff spot in the final hexagonal round, but Graham Zusi’s late goal against Panama
gave El Tri the reprieve to get them to the playoff against New Zealand. After
winning just once against CONCACAF foes at the once-formidable Estadio Azteca,
Mexico found their stride against the Kiwis with a commanding 5-1 win to all
but seal the tie in the first leg. Altogether in 2013 qualifiers, Mexico won
four games – two in the hexagonal along with both playoff matches.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
15th appearance
The Mexicans have qualified for
their sixth consecutive World Cup, and 15th overall. They have been knocked out
in the round of 16 in each of the last five trips, with their best showing
all-time coming on home soil in both 1970 and 1986 (quarterfinals). They
have never progressed past the group stage in a World Cup held in South
America.