UPDATE: EL TRI WINS 5-1 TO THE ALL WHITES TEAM. RESULTS, HIGHLIGHTS AND PHOTOS HERE.
Mexico hasn't missed out on a trip to the World Cup since 1990 and even though the current international squad holds a high level of talent, El Tri is in danger of failing to qualify for the 2014 Brazil games for the first time in over a decade. Set to take on a talented New Zealand squad in a two-leg World Cup Qualifying playoff, Mexico hopes they're able to do enough in order to solidify one of the remaining slots for the 2014 tournament. El Tri finished behind the United States, Costa Rica and Honduras in the CONCACAF Hexagonal of World Cup Qualifying, setting up two of the most important games in Mexican National soccer history.
The task of qualifying certainly won't be easy, especially since new coach Miguel Herrera has elected to leave high profile talent from Europe off the squad in favor of Mexican league talent but even without the services of a player like Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez, Herrera - who also serves as head coach of Liga MX affiliate Club America - is confident his team will get the job done. Looking ahead to what he believes is a bright future for Mexican soccer, El Piojo believes his team will earn an early advantage since the First Leg will be held at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
"We'll do it here," Herrera said. "I'm sure that Mexico will get the advantage so we can relax in Wellington and finish the job. This is the idea. To take care of business at home. That's why we have a local team. We have players who are used to playing at this altitude. We are in the process of leaving behind the past and looking toward the great opportunity we have. We are not overconfident. An excess of confidence would make us think our rival is a step below us." New Zealand undoubtedly serves as a formidable opponent since the All Whites convincingly outlasted New Caledonia, Tahiti and Solomon Islands in Round 3 of the Oceania group. Chris Wood and Shane Smeltz propelled New Zealand throughout qualifying with 12 combined goals while Chris Killen, Tim Payne and Michael McGlinchey added 7 additional goals together.
Despite the fact that defender Winston Reid is expected to miss the opening leg with an ankle injury, All White head coach Ricki Herbert feels comfortable with the situation his team is in because he knows other players will step up, including Jake Butler, who is expected to fill the void left by Reid."That's a huge loss for us," Herbert said of Reid's injury. "He's the only player who plays in the English Premier League, and he was player of the year last year at West Ham and captain of the team as well so a very sad loss at this late stage. We've brought in a player, Jake Butler, who's not playing at the same level but will certainly have the same heart and passion."
- Mexico vs. New Zealand - First Leg: DATE, TIME & TV INFO
- DATE: Wednesday, November 13
- TIME: 3:30pm, ET
- TV COVERAGE: ESPN or UNIVISION
- LIVE STREAM: CLICK HERE (For English, Requires Your Cable Subscription) or CLICK HERE (In Spanish, Free If You Live In USA)
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