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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | June 2005 
Argentina to Give Mexico Real Test
 Wire services
Mexico's 20-game unbeaten string will get a severe test against two-time World Cup champion Argentina in the Confederations Cup semifinals.
"It's not easy keeping it going, even in a neighborhood team, much less at this level" said striker Fransisco Fonseca, speaking Thursday about Mexico's streak.
The surprise team of the tournament, Mexico faces its Latin American rivals on Sunday in Hanover. Brazil plays Germany on Saturday in Nuremberg in the other semifinal.
Two-time World Cup champion Argentina always provides problems.
"We're aware who we are going to play, and we're up for it facing somebody like Argentina," said midfielder Luis Pιrez. Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe is an Argentine, and he's relishing the game against Argentina. He is glad he's not facing Germany. "I wouldn't like to be playing Germany because there will be 60,000, 70,000 fans cheering for them," he said. "They are the host team, and they'll be under pressure to make the finals."
Lavolpe is still being asked about the expulsion Tuesday of starting defenders Aaron Galindo and Salvador Carmona. Lavolpe says only that they were kicked off the team for disciplinary reasons. On Thursday, soccer's world governing body FIFA asked the Mexico federation to explain the suspensions in writing.
"Now we would simply like to get to the bottom of this," FIFA spokesman Markus Siegler said. "FIFA has asked the Mexican federation for a full report."
To quash rumors of positive doping tests, Siegler said Wednesday there had been no positive tests in the Confederations Cup. He said the pair, who played two full games before being sent home, had not been tested in this competition. Siegler also said FIFA had received no reports of positive tests from the Mexican federation following World Cup qualifiers earlier this month.
Asked again about the suspensions after Mexico's 0-0 draw Wednesday with Greece, Lavolpe declined to comment.
"It's a team matter, an internal matter, and I won't be commenting. I would appreciate it if you stopped asking about it," he said.
Fonseca said the loss of the two did not damage the team.
"They are two players who arrived here as starters," Fonseca said. "We miss them, but nobody is indispensable." |
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