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WCQ Preview: México - Jamaica
Who: México v. Jamaica
What: World Cup 2010 Qualifier, CONCACAF semifinal, Group B
When: 6 pm ET, Saturday, September 6
Where: Estadio Azteca, México City, México
05/09/2008 17:17
By Cesar Garcia
After one match played, México is in first place of Group B with three points from their 2-1 victory against Honduras, while Jamaica has one point from their 1-1 draw with Canada.
On the second matchday of CONCACAF semifinal round qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, México hope to paint the Estadio Azteca in white. Not only will El Tri wear their white uniforms, but all fans are invited to wear white, as a demonstration of support for hurricane-stricken Jamaica and Mexico's campaign against violence.
This match in the “Group of Death” has been affected by extra-soccer situations: Change of venue from Jamaica to México due to bad field conditions after Hurricane Gustav hammered Jamaica, and the Reggae Boyz’s travel delays as a further result of the weather.
The unforeseen situation favors El Tri immensely, as the game’s switch from Jamaica to Mexico City gives the Mexicans three consecutive home matches to start their qualifying. This, in turn, gives México coach Sven-Goran Eriksson the confidence and reason to believe that they will have the nine points and have qualified to the next round after these three matches.
On the other hand, Jamaica will not only play a second straight away match, but the Reggae Boyz will arrive in México City less than 24 hours before the match.
All these conditions give México an impressive pre-game advantage. However, if Jamaica’s draw at Canada shows anything, it’s that México could be in for a difficult time.
México: Home Sweet Home
The México fans that fill the imposing Azteca expect to see their Selección destroy all competition from the region. El Tri are still the superpower of CONCACAF. This is something the players have been discussing all week, and Stuttgart’s Pável Pardo, in particular, said that they have the obligation to not only be the best in the region, but to compete with the best in the world.
Against Jamaica, México’s first order of business is not to depend on individual heroics as much as they did in the first match against Honduras. Of course, the excuse exists that it was the first match under a new coach and they were barely beginning to gel. But there were hardly any major modifications to the core team of the previous administration, so the players already have an idea about playing with each other.
Regardless, they have found a renewed appreciation for an old warhorse, 35-year-old Chicago Fire #10 Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Even if his contribution is not for 90 minutes, he has become an inspiration for the fans. They erupted in cheers when he just stood to warm up during the Honduras match, and raised their support higher when he entered the game.
Eriksson will not make a lot of changes from the last match. He obviously liked what he saw, despite the problems the side had in putting away the Catrachos. However, the last-minute removal of Pumas midfielder Leandro Augusto, due to a pubitis problem, means that there is an open spot in the starting eleven.
Normally, this spot is reserved for Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado, but Eriksson has options. If he wants a pressing defensive option, he will choose the proven leader Torrado. If he wants a more offensive and creative option is Luis Pérez from Monterrey.
The main question in the line-up has to do with Blanco’s role and participation. He has proven, that his presence on the field gives clarity to the attack since he can change the game with a simple ingenious flick or heel pass. Despite his advancing age, México fans still have confidence in him and they do not want to chant his name only to remind Eriksson of the rare talent he has on the bench. The Swede did not rule out the possibility of having Blanco line up alongside one of Mexico’s young guns, Giovani Dos Santos from Tottenham or Carlos Vela from Arsenal.
Eriksson has indicated that he demands from his players a tactical order on offense and defense. When attacking, he wants them to do it quickly and dynamically. Against Jamaica, he knows that they face a tough opponent with an advantage in strength and physique.
But the Mexican players have a better tactical awareness and more experience. They should be able to create good opportunities and open the Jamaican defense. They should. But Eriksson knows his extremely talented players cannot do it through their individualities. They must play as a team.
Jamaica: On the Counter
The Reggae Boyz earned a valuable come-from-behind draw at Canada on the first date of Group B action. It was a massive, unexpected point for their road to the World Cup. The equalizer came on a late own goal from Canada keeper Pat Onstad, but coach Rene Simoes took many positives from the match, particularly how the side showed the demeanor of an experienced and well-worked team, displaying a great balance on both offense and defense.
Simoes previously led the Reggae Boyz to their first World Cup appearance in France ‘98. Since then, Jamaica has sent an impressive number of players abroad, to European leagues and Major League Soccer. The squad includes England-based Ricardo Gardner, Ricardo Fuller, Deon Burton and Ian Goodison, and MLS regulars Andy Williams of Real Salt Lake, Shavar Thomas from Chivas USA, and Toronto FC’s Tyrone Marshall.
Despite the problems caused by the hurricane, the Brazilian Simoes says the pressure in this match is on México. He plans to have his men set up a defensive barrier and take advantage of a México side under pressure from the home crowd. This obligates el Tri to attack, leaving open spaces, allowing Jamaica’s creatives, like Williams, to spring the counterattack to speedsters like Fuller.
Prediction
México should be able to impose a more developed collective idea than they did in their first qualifier victory against Honduras. They should enjoy possession of the ball for most of the match.
Jamaica on the other hand, will most likely play for the tie and look for counterattack opportunities, as they intend to feed off Mexico’s pressure for the result. If El Tri break the Jamaican defense early, the game will open-up and the result may be reminiscent of past dominant Mexico victories against Caribbean nations at the Azteca.
Mexico 3 - 0 Jamaica
Cesar Garcia is a regular contributor to Goal.com.
Who: México v. Jamaica
What: World Cup 2010 Qualifier, CONCACAF semifinal, Group B
When: 6 pm ET, Saturday, September 6
Where: Estadio Azteca, México City, México
05/09/2008 17:17
By Cesar Garcia
After one match played, México is in first place of Group B with three points from their 2-1 victory against Honduras, while Jamaica has one point from their 1-1 draw with Canada.
On the second matchday of CONCACAF semifinal round qualifying for the 2010 World Cup, México hope to paint the Estadio Azteca in white. Not only will El Tri wear their white uniforms, but all fans are invited to wear white, as a demonstration of support for hurricane-stricken Jamaica and Mexico's campaign against violence.
This match in the “Group of Death” has been affected by extra-soccer situations: Change of venue from Jamaica to México due to bad field conditions after Hurricane Gustav hammered Jamaica, and the Reggae Boyz’s travel delays as a further result of the weather.
The unforeseen situation favors El Tri immensely, as the game’s switch from Jamaica to Mexico City gives the Mexicans three consecutive home matches to start their qualifying. This, in turn, gives México coach Sven-Goran Eriksson the confidence and reason to believe that they will have the nine points and have qualified to the next round after these three matches.
On the other hand, Jamaica will not only play a second straight away match, but the Reggae Boyz will arrive in México City less than 24 hours before the match.
All these conditions give México an impressive pre-game advantage. However, if Jamaica’s draw at Canada shows anything, it’s that México could be in for a difficult time.
México: Home Sweet Home
The México fans that fill the imposing Azteca expect to see their Selección destroy all competition from the region. El Tri are still the superpower of CONCACAF. This is something the players have been discussing all week, and Stuttgart’s Pável Pardo, in particular, said that they have the obligation to not only be the best in the region, but to compete with the best in the world.
Against Jamaica, México’s first order of business is not to depend on individual heroics as much as they did in the first match against Honduras. Of course, the excuse exists that it was the first match under a new coach and they were barely beginning to gel. But there were hardly any major modifications to the core team of the previous administration, so the players already have an idea about playing with each other.
Regardless, they have found a renewed appreciation for an old warhorse, 35-year-old Chicago Fire #10 Cuauhtémoc Blanco. Even if his contribution is not for 90 minutes, he has become an inspiration for the fans. They erupted in cheers when he just stood to warm up during the Honduras match, and raised their support higher when he entered the game.
Eriksson will not make a lot of changes from the last match. He obviously liked what he saw, despite the problems the side had in putting away the Catrachos. However, the last-minute removal of Pumas midfielder Leandro Augusto, due to a pubitis problem, means that there is an open spot in the starting eleven.
Normally, this spot is reserved for Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado, but Eriksson has options. If he wants a pressing defensive option, he will choose the proven leader Torrado. If he wants a more offensive and creative option is Luis Pérez from Monterrey.
The main question in the line-up has to do with Blanco’s role and participation. He has proven, that his presence on the field gives clarity to the attack since he can change the game with a simple ingenious flick or heel pass. Despite his advancing age, México fans still have confidence in him and they do not want to chant his name only to remind Eriksson of the rare talent he has on the bench. The Swede did not rule out the possibility of having Blanco line up alongside one of Mexico’s young guns, Giovani Dos Santos from Tottenham or Carlos Vela from Arsenal.
Eriksson has indicated that he demands from his players a tactical order on offense and defense. When attacking, he wants them to do it quickly and dynamically. Against Jamaica, he knows that they face a tough opponent with an advantage in strength and physique.
But the Mexican players have a better tactical awareness and more experience. They should be able to create good opportunities and open the Jamaican defense. They should. But Eriksson knows his extremely talented players cannot do it through their individualities. They must play as a team.
Jamaica: On the Counter
The Reggae Boyz earned a valuable come-from-behind draw at Canada on the first date of Group B action. It was a massive, unexpected point for their road to the World Cup. The equalizer came on a late own goal from Canada keeper Pat Onstad, but coach Rene Simoes took many positives from the match, particularly how the side showed the demeanor of an experienced and well-worked team, displaying a great balance on both offense and defense.
Simoes previously led the Reggae Boyz to their first World Cup appearance in France ‘98. Since then, Jamaica has sent an impressive number of players abroad, to European leagues and Major League Soccer. The squad includes England-based Ricardo Gardner, Ricardo Fuller, Deon Burton and Ian Goodison, and MLS regulars Andy Williams of Real Salt Lake, Shavar Thomas from Chivas USA, and Toronto FC’s Tyrone Marshall.
Despite the problems caused by the hurricane, the Brazilian Simoes says the pressure in this match is on México. He plans to have his men set up a defensive barrier and take advantage of a México side under pressure from the home crowd. This obligates el Tri to attack, leaving open spaces, allowing Jamaica’s creatives, like Williams, to spring the counterattack to speedsters like Fuller.
Prediction
México should be able to impose a more developed collective idea than they did in their first qualifier victory against Honduras. They should enjoy possession of the ball for most of the match.
Jamaica on the other hand, will most likely play for the tie and look for counterattack opportunities, as they intend to feed off Mexico’s pressure for the result. If El Tri break the Jamaican defense early, the game will open-up and the result may be reminiscent of past dominant Mexico victories against Caribbean nations at the Azteca.
Mexico 3 - 0 Jamaica
Cesar Garcia is a regular contributor to Goal.com.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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