Mexico defeated Turkey 1:0 in a narrow victory at the Kenan Memorial Stadium in North Carolina, where El Tri bunkered down and defended well after scoring in the first half of this friendly match. Orbelin Pineda of AEK Athens scored in the forty-fifth minute from a Mexico throw in that fell to the midfielder who drove the ball into the bottom corner of the Turkish net for the only goal of the night.
This friendly win rounded up Mexico’s preparation prior to the start of the Gold Cup this Saturday, where El Tri will face the Dominican Republic at the Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles, California.
Match Synopsis:
The match commenced with the Turkish team applying a high press that pinned Mexico back into their own half, but as the match went on Mexico was able to grow into the game and began creating dangerous runs of their own.
Late in the first half, a Mexico throw in fell to Toluca midfielder Marcel Ruiz, who flicked the ball towards Julian Quiñones. Quiñones could not control the pass and it fell to Orbelin who put the ball away. Mexico went into halftime with confidence as things were going to plan. The second half of the match saw more of Mexico’s good defensive showings as the team shut down all of Turkey’s efforts to tie the game.
Substitute winger Cesar Huerta of Belgium side Anderlecht left many fans frustrated with his misplaced efforts that saw him squander an assortment of chances that could have seen Mexico widen their margins.
AC Milan forward Santi Gimenez and Fulham’s Raul Jiménez also had chances to put Mexico ahead late into the game but squandered these chances, leaving many disappointed by the team’s inability to put the game away.
Post-Match Analysis:
This was a much-needed victory for Mexico as they came into this bout having lost 4:2 to Switzerland last Saturday, leading many to doubt in the leadership of coach Javier Aguirre. Mexico redeemed themselves with this display against a quality side in Turkey, full of international stars like Real Madrid’s Arda Guler.
Vasco Aguirre heavily rotated his squad, so much so that only center-back Cesar Montes was chosen to start in both games. The drastic change paid off for El Tri as they managed to keep the clean sheet against strong European opposition. Aguirre’s utilization of the 4-4-2 formation gives la Seleccíon a more pragmatic approach where they are more compact defensively, and allows them to deploy two strikers in the starting eleven.
This match showcased a Mexico side that is much more comfortable ceding possession, closing down spaces, and waiting for their chance to counter. That is exactly what transpired against the Turks, who had fifty-nine percent of the ball possession and outshot Mexico with seventeen shots at goal (compared to Mexico’s six), but it was Mexico who looked the more dangerous every time they broke on the counter.
Mexico looks to be solidifying a very different approach to the one fans are used to under the tutelage of Vasco Aguirre, where they are much more practical in both defending as well as the attack. Mexico will look to build on today’s victory and carry that into the Gold Cup, where they are expected to win as the Giants of Concacaf.
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