On the other side of the fence to the big sides, we’ve got the nations who no-one expects anything from. The underdogs, the David’s, the un-fancied, the Chuck Wepners if you will. Or in the case of this; Mexico. Ridiculed and abused for years, Mexico have been the butt of jokes in all variety of media sources for as long as I can remember. But whilst the sword of Damocles hangs over the favourites the Mexicans at least can just get down to business and see what happens, even enjoying themselves on the way.
The Mexicans are an interesting side with an interesting story and some interesting players. So I’ll try not to bore you as we discuss how they aren’t that bad and at least worth looking at.
Mexico
Form for this: Knocked out in the Round of 16 to a wonder strike from Argentina’s Maxi Rodríguez in extra time saw their run end in 2006. But winning the CONCACAF Championship in 2009 and defeating their biggest rivals 5-0 in the final is a nice confidence booster (I shall gloss neatly over the fact that the US had a second string side out.)
Why they’ll get through: A lot was made of England’s recent struggle against them, Italy fell to them and they put in a very decent shift against the Dutch all of which lends itself to one thing; the Mexicans are pretty damn good. They’ve got an incredibly tactically astute manager in Javier Aguirre getting them to play very neat, tidy and aesthetically pleasing football. Anyone who witnessed the England game can testify that at times, their build up play and one touch football was superb. Excellent at holding the ball and playing around with it, they are a far cry from the underdogs who hit on the counter and hope for the best. Mexico have a few very exciting players in their side. Firstly there is Guardado, arguably their best player (who didn’t play in that England game) whom as well as being blessed with pace is also pretty decent with a ball at his feet. Carlos Vela and Dos Santos are names that familiar to Arsenal and Tottenham fans and whilst both have yet to really make their mark at club level, both are already experienced international players. They have big strong strikers to lead the line in Blanco and Franco allowing the trickier smaller players to operate around them. Marquez will be patrolling the back as part of the 3 man defence moving forward and striding into midfield. Being extremely accomplished on the ball this gives the Central Americans that extra dimension to their play that will perhaps catch more rigid teams off guard.
Mexico also have an interesting group; with the host nation, whom usually rise to the occasion regardless of their position in world football, Uruguay, a nation whom they would perhaps consider their equal on the international stage, and lastly France, perhaps the laughing stock of the big nations. It’s a group that the Mexicans can play their way out of, and should they do so there’s the prospect of the unpredictable Argentineans again in the second round or a challenge in South Korea, Nigeria or Greece. Again, all of whom Mexico can beat. In truth the system Mexico operate with will be their biggest strength. Players who are willing to adapt for their manager and play how he wants, exploring an exciting formation and approach to the game
Why they’ll crash out: Whilst we ridicule and berate France frequently at The Vuvuzela View, they could always rise to the challenge and surprise us all. Domenech could be fooling us all and simply deflecting pressure away from his team (although one suspects he is in fact just a moron). Nonetheless, the French have world class players in their ranks, Uruguay do also; in Forlan and the stupidly prolific Suarez, and South Africa no matter how poor they are, are hosting the World Cup, which will inevitably give them some lift. Mexico lack any real world class players in their side; Marquez aside and whilst the system works very well for them they struggle to get an end product.
None of their attacking players are particularly prolific and they appear to lack that cutting edge that is necessary at the top level. Franco is not renowned for having an excellent goal scoring return and Hernández (who recently joined United) is maybe too soon into his career to really judge. Dos Santos and Vela have both been touted as potential world beaters but as of yet have not shown just how good they can be. Efficient and tricky yes, but Dos Santos was the next in line to Messi at Barca, whilst Vela is one of the players on the conveyor belt of youth production that is Arsenal. Stepping up to the big stage is something they can both do but haven’t as of yet. This lack in genuine world class talent could be their undoing.
Prediction: To progress through to the second round at least and baring meeting Argentina could even get as far as the Semi finals if they can add goals to their play. That said, the quarter finals should see the end of their adventure meeting one of the bigger nations and it’s a nice target to have.
The Vuvuzela View 