Argentina vs Mexico preview

Posted on | July 11, 2007 | 3 Comments

Copa America favourites  Argentina face their last hurdle before a possible final clash against bitter rivals Brazil- invitees Mexico. The two teams last faced off in the 2006 World Cup, when Argentina managed to beat Mexico thanks to a Maxi Rodriguez stunner. The game will be played at the Polideportivo Cachamay in the city of Puerto Ordaz.

Argentina brought their strongest team to the tournament, wanting to the win the title for a record 15^th time. On paper, they are easily the best side in the tournament, and Basile’s boys have proved it by being the only team with a 100% win record at this stage. They topped Group C, beating Paraguay, USA and Colombia. They scored nine goals in the group stage, more than any other team in the tournament. Despite the loss of striker Hernan Crespo, Argentina have yet to show any signs of the fact that they are missing the prolific forward. Goals are coming from everywhere, and they blanked Peru 4-0 in the quarterfinals. Juan Roman Riquelme, after a slow start, is slowly coming into his own. He has four goals to his credit. Basile has generally stuck to a particular set of players, and it is likely to be the same for this game. Heinze, Ayala, Gabriel Milito and Zanetti at the back, Riquelme, Veron, Cambiasso, Messi and Mascherano in midfield, with Diego Milito upfront. Ayala is on a yellow card, having picked it up against Peru..

Mexico came to this tournament after a loss in the Gold Cup final to the USA, and without several key players. Mexico’s primary objective- that of reaching the semifinals has been achieved, and it is now upto the players to progress further. Olympiakos forward Nery Castillo is a doubt for this game, and if he does not play, that will be a big blow for the Mexicans. Castillo has undoubtedly been Mexico’s player of the tournament, scoring 4 goals so far. Mexico’s opening game against Brazil was in Puerto Ordaz, while Argentina haven’t played here as yet. The 6-0 silencing of Paraguay was a good result for the fans and players overall, who were pretty disjointed when they arrived in Venezuela. Nine of Argentina’s 13 goals have come in the second half, a fact which would not have gone unnoticed by Mexico’s coach Hugo Sanchez. Jonny Magallon is on a yellow card. The game is likely to be rough, like the World Cup game last year. Oswaldo Sanchez is likely to have his hands full in goal.

Tough game to predict. In the last edition of the tournament, Argentina met Brazil in the final. They beat Colombia in the semis that time around, and like Mexico this time, Colombia won their group with seven points. Argentina to win this say 2-0. Riquelme and Milito likely scorers.

Related posts:

1. Round of 16 – Argentina vs Mexico preview
2. Mexico vs Paraguay preview
3. Peru vs Mexico preview
4. Uruguay vs Mexico preview
5. Argentina vs Uruguay Copa America preview

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