Previewing the Copa America candidates – Analysing group C: Special Feature (Part 4)
After shedding some light on the squads of Uruguay, Peru, Chile it is now time to take a look at Mexico’s squad which is set to take the stage in Copa America following an impressive Gold Cup tournament in U.S.A...
Mexico
One can say that Mexico are the new Central American powerhouses in international football. The Mexican national team progressed till the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2010 World Cup where they lost to Argentina thanks to a brilliant performance from Carlos Tevez. However the young Mexican group have come a long way since then and they are in high mood after winning the Gold Cup title last month in North America after defeating U.S.A in the final by four goals to two.
It was a wonderful display by Mexico and they will look to do the same in Argentina but such a triumph will be difficult because they are faced with the toughest group of the tournament. Mexico’s first target would be to make it past the group stages and do to that they will need to win their matches against Peru and Chile whilst a draw against Uruguay would suffice.
However Mexico will need all of their top stars to fire on all cylinders in order to have a successful Copa America in Argentina. Mexico will undoubtedly be the underdogs of this group who can surprise everyone, a factor which might work in their favour. Mexico finished third in 2007, the last time Copa America was held but they have never won the tournament itself. They finished as runners up in 2001 and before that in 1993 they lost to Argentina in the final.
Goalkeepers
Luis Ernesto Michel, Liborio Sánchez and Carlos Felipe Rodriguez are Mexico’s goalkeeping options. However it will be Ernesto Michel who will take the field as Mexico’s first choice goalkeeper. The young shot stopper is relatively inexperienced at the international level but he is a promising prospect who will only improve if he takes the field at the Copa America for Mexico. However there is in inherent risk in this strategy which means that Michel’s inexperience can maybe cost Mexico their Copa America title charge. Nonetheless, it is a risk that Mexico are willing to take.
Defence
Darvin Chávez, Héctor Reynoso, Hiram Mier, Paul Aguilar , Miguel Ángel Ponce, Néstor Araujo, Oswaldo Alanís are Mexico’s defensive options but it will be Ponce and Reynoso who will start for them. Some of their first choice defenders are missing as they have been given a due break after their triumph in the Gold Cup which was Mexican F.A’s preferred tournament over Copa America. Araujo and Alanis play on the wings for Mexico which will be needed by them if they want to attack with width and pace down the flanks.
Midfield
Mexico will depend on the speedy Giovani Dos Santos in this department to fire them through. He played in the Gold Cup for them and was a star of the show as he helped them progress to the final of the tournament and win it in the end.
Strikers
Javier Hernandez was not included in Mexico’s squad for Copa America after playing for them in the Gold Cup thus they will have to bank on the talents of Oribe Peralta, who is an under -21 international for the Central American team.
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