SET PIECES: World Cup - Bolton's Desert Fox

[ratbert]

Athers looks at the international career of The Borgmeister and assesses Mexico's chances in Germany:

http://www.the-wanderer.co.uk/content.p ... ure&id=387

[furiamex]

Excellent article, except that Jaime Lozano didn't make it in the final team. Some of us believe that he would have made a much better option than LaVolpe's son in law Rafael "Chiquis" Garcia. Another player to keep an eye on is Salcido: a very fast and technically gifted defender who could also end up playing in Europe after the World Cup. Another player, Guardado, is among those listed by FIFA as a candidate for its "young revelation" award.

[Dujon]

Thanks for the article, Athers.

I'm interested to see how well Mexico fare in this W.C.. They appear to have a decent home league (and the money to keep players at home - there seem to be few Mexicans in other world leagues when compared with the skill pool of them and, say, some South American countries).

[Winter Hill White]

Good read that.

Think Mexico are always underestimated at World Cups. Probably because people don't know that much about them, which arises becuaser of Dujon's point that not that many play in other leagues.

I remember at a previous tournament one of their players doing that bunny hop type thing with the ball between his feet. Think he was called Blanco?

And they have ace names. Like Cuathemoc.

And Popacatapetl is one of my favourite words.

So on that basis, I think Borgetti's boys will fare very well this year.

[picaro]

Please try to forget the Cuahteminha (Blanco's bunny hop)...an embarassing moment! I agree with Furia, Salcido is a surprising defender, he could easily play any position in midfield as well. I see Mexico playing up to its usual expectations, defeat in 2nd round....i wish this wasn't the case. also keep on eye on the aging Pardo, it is a shame he never wanted to leave Mexico (linked to River Plate, Inter i believe at one point, and quite a few Spanish clubs), he is a general of the midfield with a great touch

[furiamex]

Please try to forget the Cuahteminha (Blanco's bunny hop)...an embarassing moment! I agree with Furia, Salcido is a surprising defender, he could easily play any position in midfield as well. I see Mexico playing up to its usual expectations, defeat in 2nd round....i wish this wasn't the case. also keep on eye on the aging Pardo, it is a shame he never wanted to leave Mexico (linked to River Plate, Inter i believe at one point, and quite a few Spanish clubs), he is a general of the midfield with a great touch

Pavel Pardo, Salcido, Osorio, Guardado, and goalies Osvaldo Sanchez and Ochoa could all play in Europe. But Pardo and Ochoa already play in Club America and are going to play the Club World Cup in Japan next December, so it would have to be a VERY good offer to play in Europe. It would be easier for players such as Salcido and Osorio to make the move since they only play in small teams like chivas.

[picaro]

at least some of these kids are already playing in Europe...Vela = Arsenal (loaned to Celta Vigo) , Giovanni Dos Santos = Barca (along with kid brother) and Ever Guzman and Jorge Hernández are on trial Barca as well.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trd5oV0p ... los%20vela

[Athers]

Thanks for the praise guys, it did strike me that I was writing on a specialist subject of some of you (furiamex, picaro) and with it came pressure!

I must admit I used secondary sources for Jaime Lozano and I made a mistake with writing him into the final squad, but nevertheless I feel the bulk of the article is about right!