On Wednesday, 13th November at 2:30 PM EST, Mexico will host New
Zealand at Estadio Azteca for World Cup 2014 Intercontinental Playoffs.
Mexicans have dangerously “gambled” in these qualifications for which
they could have paid dearly. Six teams have competed in this group of
teams from North and Central America, where three directly go to Brazil,
so it is logical that Mexico is a great favourite for one of these
positions. However, the Mexicans had many problems, primarily with their
efficiency and they scored only seven goals in ten matches. They had
five draw matches, of which three times at home, with just one win and
only three goals scored. They were especially bad in the finish of the
qualifications when they lost three of four games and eventually
finished in fourth place in the barrage.
They changed their
selectors, and from mid-October Miguel Herrera is on the bench, who
coached them in one match, when they defeated Finland with 4-2 in a
friendly match last month. The Mexicans are also having a lot of
problems with their composition, and their biggest disadvantage is the
lack of their striking duo Chicharito and dos Santos, who will not play
in these barrage matches.
- Probable lineups Mexico: Munoz – Valenzuela, Rodriguez, Marquez – Aguilar, Layun, Medina, Pena, Molina – Peralta, Jimenez.
New Zealand team enters with high hopes and should be able to play carefree
ball as the underdogs here. Still, with a second leg to come at home,
they will likely sit back and play tight defending and hope for a break
on the counter. They know what a strong result here would do to the
Mexican psyche for the 2nd leg. However, the All Whites received a
massive blow to their hopes as captain Winston Reid had to withdraw due
to a training injury at his club West Ham United. Top-scorer Shane
Smeltz, however, has handed the underdogs a boost, returning from hip
surgery in time to be available for selection.
- Probable lineups New Zealand: Moss – Bertos, Smith, Durante, Lochhead – McGlinchey, Clapham – Brockie, Barbarouses, James – Wood.
Mexico vs New Zealand
2014 World Cup Intercontinental Playoff
Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2013 - 20:30 CET - 2:30 PM EST
2014 World Cup Intercontinental Playoff
Date: Wednesday, 13 November 2013 - 20:30 CET - 2:30 PM EST
Stadium: Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
