friendly matches

Mexico is a team full of questions that Javier Aguirre tries hard to answer. His automatic response is balance. Without that value, which has become so recurrent in his press conferences, the national coach does not imagine things will improve for the Tricolor. The victory against New Zealand (3-0), at the start of his third stage in charge, cleared the tension accumulated by the failures in the Copa America and the Concacaf Nations League.

Although it was a friendly match, the relief of winning was a priceless prize for the Mexicans, the first step in a rebuilding phase. What remains to be resolved is the mood of the people. The organizers at the Rose Bowl stadium in California invited boxer from Guadalajara, Saúl Canelo Álvarez, to be in charge of throwing the opening toss, knowing that there was little demand for tickets. But even that could not hide the empty stands in a stadium accustomed to being full during the visits of the Tricolor.

The first big thrill of the night was the goal scored by Orbelín Pineda, a player whose skill is capable of creating spaces where it seems they do not exist. The AEK Athens midfielder completed a triangle that Luis Romo and Roberto Alvarado started to make it 1-0 with a low shot that hit the post (4). If football is a state of mind, as former Argentine footballer Jorge Valdano says, Mexico brought down the low morale of weak New Zealand.

With the help of Rafael Márquez and Tony Amor in the decision-making, Aguirre fixed the current flaws. In every throw-in or corner kick there was at least one comment from El Vasco that made the flag-bearer laugh, a signal from Márquez to the central defenders or a shout of support from Amor to the midfielders. Everything was executed with the necessary rigor of urgency. Proof that luck was on his side, the national coach brought César Huerta onto the field in the second half and, immediately, found the second goal (53).

Chino forgot about his usual duties at Pumas, staying very close to the wing, and defined like a center forward at the first opportunity he had in front of goalkeeper Max Crocombe (53). Players and members of the Mexican coaching staff jumped from the bench to celebrate loudly, looking towards the stands. The final blow came shortly after, when Luis Romo crowned a new attack by his team with the goal open (57).

The only bad note in Aguirre’s notebook was the injury of Colombian-Mexican Julián Quiñones, who could not finish the match due to discomfort in his right thigh.

In his third stage as technical director of the national team, Javier Vasco Aguirre announced on Wednesday his first squad for the upcoming friendly matches of the September FIFA date against New Zealand and Canada, which will take place in the United States.

Among the goalkeepers in demand, the name of Alex Padilla stands out. He made his debut in the First Division of the Spanish League a few weeks ago with Athletic Bilbao, where he acts as a substitute goalkeeper. Luis Ángel Malagón (América) and Raúl Rangel (Chivas) were also required.

In defense, Julián Araujo stood out, having played his first minutes in the English Premier League with AFC Bournemouth a few days ago. Also requested were defenders Alan Mozo (Chivas), Israel Reyes (América), César Montes (Almería), Johan Vásquez (Génova), Víctor Guzmán (Monterrey), Jesús Angulo (Tigres) and Jesús Gallardo (Toluca).

In midfield will be Luis Romo, Erik Lira, Carlos Rodriguez (all from Cruz Azul), Fidel Ambriz (Monterrey), Luis Chavez (Dynamo Moscow), Sebastian Cordova (Tigres) and Orbelin Pineda (AEK Athens).

Hirving’s absence was surprising up front Chucky Lozano (PSV Eindhoven) and Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), who were speculated to return to Tri; however, they were not considered in this first call.

The attackers required were Diego Lainez, Marcelo Flores (both from Tigres), Julian Quiñones (Al-Qadisiya), Roberto Alvarado (Chivas), Cesar Huerta, Guillermo Martinez (both from Pumas), Santiago Gimenez (Feyenoord) and Henry Martin (America).

The debut of the Vasco in his third stage as coach of the Mexican national team will be next Saturday, September 7, when the Tri will face New Zealand at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. The FIFA date will close at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Tuesday, the 10th of the same month with the duel against the Canadian team.