Preview: Mexico v. Canada

CelticKing · Sep 9, 2008

Preview: Mexico v. Canada

México v. Canada (Group B)
When: 9 p.m. ET, Wednesday, September 10
Where: Estadio Victor Manuel Reyna, Chiapas, México

Heading into the third match of the ‘Group of Death,’ México is in first place of Group B with six points, fresh off their recent 3-0 home victory against Jamaica. While Canada lost to Honduras 2-1 at home over the weekend and is in third place, with one point from their opening match draw.

On the third matchday of CONCACAF semifinal round qualifying for the 2010 World
Cup, México host Canada in their third consecutive home match at a relatively unknown venue, Jaguares stadium in Chiapas. The different setting for this qualifier will have a small effect on both sides, in terms of warmer weather and through the absence of the imposing estadio Azteca.

México again come into a match with everything in their favor. Not only from the home advantage, but with great confidence from their dominant victory over Jamaica. Add to that, the advantage of facing a very desperate Canada side, who only managed to rescue one point from two home matches and who need a result from this match if they want to have any hope of advancing.

Both sides are could certainly use the positive result, but given Canada’s urgent for points, El Tri is in the ideal position to continue their impressive play with a shut-down type performance of the Canucks which would move them one step closer to the next round.

New Faces
Just when El Tri was beginning to show improved united and a dynamic attack, they were faced with a dilemma. Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would have to field a new line-up being that two important players in his usual formation will be absent.

Defender Carlos Salcido from PSV Eindhoven and veteran Pável Pardo from Stuttgart, won’t be available for the match. Salcido, serving a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards and Pardo having suffered a ligament injury in his right knee against Jamaica mean two top performers will be absent from Eriksson’s eleven. The coaching staff did not call any substitutes for these players.

Still, México benefits from a deep bench, and has substitutes of varying styles that would allow Eriksson to tinker with other playing styles, given the conditions of the match and their opponent.

Possible players to replace Salcido on the left side of defense could be Pachuca’s Fausto Pinto or his PSV teammate, Francisco Rodriguez. Another solution can be to include Aaron Galindo from Eintracht Frankfurt in the center defense, which would move Chivas player Jonny Magallón from to the left side. Eriksson must be reassured by all his choices off the bench, but Pinto is the only natural fit to fill the void on the left side of defense.

In the midfield, the options are clearer. Eriksson has the defensive option of Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado, who is the hard-man of the team and can recover the ball; the offensive option is Monterrey’s Luis Pérez, who is a playmaker with exceptional ball distribution. All signs from the training ground indicate that Eriksson will start both Torrado and Pérez in the midfield, in the absence of Pardo.

Who Does the Scoring?
The final questions remain in the final third. Eriksson has thrown his full support and preference for youngsters Carlos Vela from Arsenal, and Giovani Dos Santos from Tottenham, leaving on the bench proven goal-scorers and an idolized number ‘10.’

This is the problem because in recent years El Tri has lacked a true number ‘9,’ a proven clinical striker. In their last match there were many missed opportunities due to this, being that both Vela and Dos Santos develop their opportunities on the wings and when it comes to crossing the ball, there is no one in the center to slot it in. This is a good opportunity for Eriksson to test alternatives up top, by giving the nod to proven goal-scorers Omar Bravo from Depor, and Santos’ naturalized striker, Matias Vuoso.

El Tri however, will not be affected by the modifications to the line-up, playing with the same attitude, tactics and style of last match. Against a Canadian defensive wall that offers little space, their dynamic and vertical attacks on the wings may not be as effective, leaving the forwards with few real opportunities. This means that México will probably have to make the most of dead-ball situations to get on the scoreboard.

Time to Rebound
The Canadians did not fare well in their first two home matches, earning only one point in a draw against Jamaica and the defeat to Honduras. Not having taken the full six points at home, their chances of advancing to the final round of qualification are in jeopardy.

Despite knowing that they enter their most difficult match at a complete disadvantage, the Canadians are confident that they can get a positive result in México and keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Their confidence is based on the fact that they have one of the most talented sides since the one that qualified for the 1986 World Cup. The Canadians field important players for their respective teams in the MLS, such as goalkeeper Patrick Onstad, Adrian Serioux and the constant goalscoaring threat, Dwayne de Rosario. Their most notable player is Julián de Guzmán, a strong central midfielder that recovers and distributes well, and who plays alongside Mexico’s Andres Guardado at Deportivo La Coruña.

The New Canucks
Along with the names, they are playing quality football that is different from previous Canadian, that primarily resorted to running down long balls. Their revolutionized style involves a lot of movement, strong defense and counterattacking, a style which is due in part to the dynamic characteristics of their diverse squad.

Canada’s chances may be few, but they must play to take at least one point from their most difficult match of qualification to have any realistic possibilities of advancing.
Click to expand...

M Two One · Sep 9, 2008

Mexico 3 : 1 Canada

Colonel Ronan · Sep 10, 2008

Mexico 3-1 Cananda

agoo · Sep 10, 2008

As much as I'd like to see Mexico lose, I don't think Canada has a chance in this one. They've been brutal in qualifying thus far.

Colonel Ronan · Sep 10, 2008

I want to see Vela find the back of the net.

CelticKing · Sep 10, 2008

Mexico 2 - 2 Canada

Dos Santos will get a goal.

Log in or Sign up

Preview: Mexico v. Canada

CelticKing The Green Monster

M Two One Halló Veröld!

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

agoo Member

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

CelticKing The Green Monster

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Preview: Mexico v. Canada

Moderators

CelticKing The Green Monster

M Two One Halló Veröld!

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

agoo Member

Colonel Ronan Continue...?

CelticKing The Green Monster

Share This Page

Useful Searches