GUADALAJARA, Jalisco — Earlier than the World Cup, critics and followers of the Mexican nationwide team debated whether or not Javier Aguirre’s third stint as head coach was the correct choice. Two video games later, the coach has led Mexico to the match’s knockout round.
Thursday’s 1-0 victory over South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium made the World Cup co-host the primary within the match to advance whereas additionally clinching the highest spot in Group A with one group play recreation remaining. After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the purpose that gave the Mexicans six factors and pushed them to the highest of the standings.
El Tri will shut out the primary round towards Czechia (6 p.m.) at Azteca Stadium on Wednesday.
Throughout his post-match information convention, Aguirre spoke much less in regards to the consequence and extra in regards to the journey that led him to this second. At 67 and having coached Mexico in three World Cups, he defined that his expertise allowed him to method a match he described as eminently tactical.
Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel reaches again to cease the ball from coming into his purpose throughout his team’s 1-0 World Cup win over South Korea Thursday.
(Silvia Izquierdo / Related Press)
“I’ve all the time tried to get my team to play properly and to assist the gamers and the nationwide team develop,” Aguirre stated.
For the coach, advancing to the knockout round represents the fruits of greater than three a long time of labor on the sidelines and the assist of a bunch of gamers who rose to the event below essentially the most demanding circumstances.
The coach additionally acknowledged that advancing to the subsequent round has eased the stress surrounding the team after the doubts that existed earlier than the World Cup. With out mentioning private vindication, he famous that soccer tends to choose solely primarily based on the latest consequence.
“In case you win, you’re the very best; should you lose, you’re the worst,” Aguirre stated.
Aguirre stated he stays calm as a result of he believes his method to teaching hasn’t modified and that the team was rewarded Thursday evening towards South Korea in a match marked by restricted house and a excessive diploma of tactical self-discipline.
With qualification secured, Aguirre stated he won’t alter his soccer philosophy throughout Mexico’s remaining group stage match though it now not faces the stress of securing a spot within the subsequent round.
He stated Czechia will enter the sport with a special aggressive want and a drive to advance, whereas Mexico will work to preserve a excessive stage of efficiency that allowed it to report two consecutive wins and hold two clear sheets at first of the match.
On the South Korean facet, coach Hong Myung-bo prevented making excuses and targeted his evaluation on the play that determined the match. Though he defined that he had not but reviewed the purpose sequence intimately, he knew the team made a collection of small errors in an space of the sphere the place he had beforehand warned that dropping possession might show decisive.
Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel blocks a shot by South Korea’s Son Heung-min through the World Cup match on Thursday.
(Natacha Pisarenko / Related Press)
The coach stated that one of many central focuses of their preparation had been avoiding turnovers close to South Korea’s field within the face of Mexico’s excessive press.
Myung-bo stated that through the pre-match discuss, he emphasised that the primary 20 minutes could be essential and believed his gamers had executed that a part of the plan. He stated that because the minutes handed, South Korea managed to create possibilities and was gaining power till its crucial turnover.
“After the momentum of the match shifted in our favor … each when it comes to total stress and the play itself, we had been ready to create many alternatives,” Myung-bo stated. “Though it ended up being a really irritating match and we’re left with a bitter style in our mouths over the misplaced possession, there’s no time to dwell on it. Now we have one final match forward of us, so we’ll put together properly.”
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