 |
|
|
 News from Around the Americas | June 2006 
Argentina Braced for Mexico after Topping Group C
 Luke Phillips - AFP
| | Argentinian supporters cheer prior to the start of the opening round Group C World Cup football match The Netherlands vs. Argentina, 21 June 2006 in Frankfurt, Germany. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. (AFP/John Macdougall) |
Mexico will be tough opponents in the last 16 of the World Cup, said Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, after his side battled to a 0-0 draw with the Netherlands to finish top of Group C.
"I have a very positive image of Mexico," said Pekerman.
Mexico finished runners-up in Group D after beating Iran 3-1, drawing 0-0 with Angola and losing 2-1 to group winners Portugal, who meet the Dutch in the knock-out phase of football's showpiece tournament.
"Mexico are where they are because of how they have played. They are high in the FIFA rankings and played well at the Confederations Cup last year."
"It will be a good match. They have many very good players. They will be a strong opponent, and it's the World Cup, so every game is difficult."
"Mexico are always able to score goals," he added. "They are technically skilled and highly competitive team. No team can ever believe that Mexico is not a strong rival."
Pekerman said he had not been disappointed with the goalless draw against the Netherlands, despite his side dominating the first-half before easing off after the interval to allow the Dutch back into the game.
"We could have won the match, which was highly competitive, because we had more goal-scoring possibilities," he said.
"But it was difficult. We were both qualified for the round of 16 but we had to be very prudent and also take into account that both teams can play good football and can win."
"I'm satisfied. The team were good and the players took into account what they had to do. Whatever was lacking, we'll compensate for that in the next game in three days' time (in Leipzig on Saturday)."
"During the first half we were closer to scoring, and perhaps we lowered the tempo in the second half, maybe we felt our fatigue."
In the first 45 minutes, strikers Lionel Messi and Carlos Tevez, aided by Juan Riquleme and Maxi Rodriguez in midfield, tormented the flat-footed Dutch defence with their strength in the tackle and blistering counter-attacks.
"It was difficult," said man-of-the-match Tevez who plays his club football for Corinithians in Brazil. "We haven't played the kind of football that we like to play but we were facing a very strong team."
"We kept the ball well. All that was missing was goals."
Teenager Messi, who like Tevez was called up to start the match as Pekerman rested favoured strike duo Hernan Crespo and Javier Saviola, both yellow-carded in the previous match, admitted the Dutch defenders had raised their game.
"The desire by us to do well was there," Messi said. "We tried to up the pace but the Dutch defence was a wall."
With an apparent embarrassment of riches up-front, Pekerman said it was important to remember that "to win the World Cup, you need players to come in off the bench and play well".
Pekerman called Tevez and Messi "two great players who are very important for us. They're good to incorporate into the team."
"I couldn't take risks with yellow cards. It's very important that players coming in had the motivation to win and play well." |
| |
|
Vallarta Weddings
Tell a Friend
Site Map
Print this Page
Email Us