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AP Sports
Posted: 2008-04-17 02:43:07
SEATTLE (AP) -Finally, after repeated failings, then the firing of its coach, "El Tri" was back with a performance worth roaring about.
Cesar Villaluz scored early and previously reeling Mexico dominated China in a 1-0 victory Wednesday in an exhibition game before a crowd of 56,416 that roared, chanted, sang and blew horns throughout the night.
The fourth-largest soccer crowd in Seattle history was so joyful it did "The Wave," the 1980s fan phenomenon allegedly founded in Seattle, during the United States' national anthem just before the game. Fans displayed their disapproval of some officials' calls by throwing paper airplanes from the upper deck of Qwest Field, which will be home to the expansion Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in 2009.
Only exhibitions with Real Madrid and DC United in 2006 and Manchester United and Celtic in 2003, plus a 1976 NASL exhibition game between Seattle and the New York Cosmos - Pele scored two goals in the first event held in the old Kingdome - drew more in Seattle than Wednesday night's match.
"It was impressive, honestly," Mexico interim coach Jesus Ramirez said. "It made me happy that we could send them home tonight happy."
China coach Vladimir Petrovic added of the night-long fiesta at his team's expense, "It was very difficult for us. The fans for Mexico was its 12th player on the pitch."
The game played out like one might suspect between a team ranked 16th in the world and one ranked 82nd, even with Mexico minus its stars from overseas leagues. China - playing with only one player, Gao Lin, expected to be on its Olympic team - had just three shots and it didn't get the ball into Mexico's penalty area more than a few times. That left veteran goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, one of the only recognizable names on Mexico's roster, mostly idle. He made just one save.
In the 14th minute, Mexico's Jorge Hernandez lofted a pass into the center of the penalty area to Sergio Santana. Santana's short pass found Villaluz, who was making plays near the goal all night. Villaluz drilled a high shot over goalkeeper Song Zhenyu for the lone goal that had the crowd throwing sombreros.
"In the first half, we didn't know how to play Mexico, their style," Petrovic said.
Mexico easily could have led 5-0 at halftime. Song made two diving saves on breakaways by Mexico, including one by Villaluz on a shot from 15 yards. Song also made a sliding stop on a point-blank shot by Sergio Amaury Ponce in the 26th minute. Then, just before halftime, Santana kicked an open shot from the top of the goalkeeper box over the crossbar.
"Totally excellent!" Sanchez said. "They left their soul out there on the field. To the players, thanks for the effort."
China's lone chance to score came in the 59th minute. Wu Weian sent a high centering pass in front of the goal. But Gao's leap couldn't keep the ball from sailing harmlessly over him.
"It was a fantastic match, a good experience for us," said Petrovic, adding he was pleased with how his young players controlled Mexico better in the second half. "It was a pity we didn't get a goal."
The night was a pick-me-up for Mexico, which last month missed qualifying for the Olympics. That huge disappointment cost coach Hugo Sanchez his job two weeks ago, after just 16 months in the position.
Ramirez was coaching his first and apparently one of his last games for the national team. Multiple reports in Spain this week said Mexico's soccer federation has asked Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, who led Mexico in the 2002 World Cup, to be the next national coach in time for World Cup qualifying matches this summer. Aguirre acknowledged only that the Mexican federation has contacted him about generalities.
Mexico's tour of the United States continues June 4 against Argentina in San Diego and June 8 against Peru in Chicago. Ramirez said more of Mexico's overseas stars would be available for those games and that it was too early to tell how many of those who played Wednesday will be part of Mexico's qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Those begin June 15 against Belize in Houston.
China is tuning up to host the Olympics.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
04/17/08 01:41 CDT
AP Sports
Posted: 2008-04-17 02:43:07
SEATTLE (AP) -Finally, after repeated failings, then the firing of its coach, "El Tri" was back with a performance worth roaring about.
Cesar Villaluz scored early and previously reeling Mexico dominated China in a 1-0 victory Wednesday in an exhibition game before a crowd of 56,416 that roared, chanted, sang and blew horns throughout the night.
The fourth-largest soccer crowd in Seattle history was so joyful it did "The Wave," the 1980s fan phenomenon allegedly founded in Seattle, during the United States' national anthem just before the game. Fans displayed their disapproval of some officials' calls by throwing paper airplanes from the upper deck of Qwest Field, which will be home to the expansion Seattle Sounders FC of MLS in 2009.
Only exhibitions with Real Madrid and DC United in 2006 and Manchester United and Celtic in 2003, plus a 1976 NASL exhibition game between Seattle and the New York Cosmos - Pele scored two goals in the first event held in the old Kingdome - drew more in Seattle than Wednesday night's match.
"It was impressive, honestly," Mexico interim coach Jesus Ramirez said. "It made me happy that we could send them home tonight happy."
China coach Vladimir Petrovic added of the night-long fiesta at his team's expense, "It was very difficult for us. The fans for Mexico was its 12th player on the pitch."
The game played out like one might suspect between a team ranked 16th in the world and one ranked 82nd, even with Mexico minus its stars from overseas leagues. China - playing with only one player, Gao Lin, expected to be on its Olympic team - had just three shots and it didn't get the ball into Mexico's penalty area more than a few times. That left veteran goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, one of the only recognizable names on Mexico's roster, mostly idle. He made just one save.
In the 14th minute, Mexico's Jorge Hernandez lofted a pass into the center of the penalty area to Sergio Santana. Santana's short pass found Villaluz, who was making plays near the goal all night. Villaluz drilled a high shot over goalkeeper Song Zhenyu for the lone goal that had the crowd throwing sombreros.
"In the first half, we didn't know how to play Mexico, their style," Petrovic said.
Mexico easily could have led 5-0 at halftime. Song made two diving saves on breakaways by Mexico, including one by Villaluz on a shot from 15 yards. Song also made a sliding stop on a point-blank shot by Sergio Amaury Ponce in the 26th minute. Then, just before halftime, Santana kicked an open shot from the top of the goalkeeper box over the crossbar.
"Totally excellent!" Sanchez said. "They left their soul out there on the field. To the players, thanks for the effort."
China's lone chance to score came in the 59th minute. Wu Weian sent a high centering pass in front of the goal. But Gao's leap couldn't keep the ball from sailing harmlessly over him.
"It was a fantastic match, a good experience for us," said Petrovic, adding he was pleased with how his young players controlled Mexico better in the second half. "It was a pity we didn't get a goal."
The night was a pick-me-up for Mexico, which last month missed qualifying for the Olympics. That huge disappointment cost coach Hugo Sanchez his job two weeks ago, after just 16 months in the position.
Ramirez was coaching his first and apparently one of his last games for the national team. Multiple reports in Spain this week said Mexico's soccer federation has asked Atletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre, who led Mexico in the 2002 World Cup, to be the next national coach in time for World Cup qualifying matches this summer. Aguirre acknowledged only that the Mexican federation has contacted him about generalities.
Mexico's tour of the United States continues June 4 against Argentina in San Diego and June 8 against Peru in Chicago. Ramirez said more of Mexico's overseas stars would be available for those games and that it was too early to tell how many of those who played Wednesday will be part of Mexico's qualification matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Those begin June 15 against Belize in Houston.
China is tuning up to host the Olympics.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
04/17/08 01:41 CDT
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