Mexico - World Cup 2006 Team Profile

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Mexico take part in the tournament as seeds in their own right for the first time. Although they have rarely succeeded outside of tournaments hosted in Mexico – they made the 1970 and 1986 quarter finals – there is an expectation of making it out of their group into the knock-out rounds this time around. A solid 2005 Confederations Cup performance has raised the bar and Mexico could surprise a few teams. A group that includes Portugal, Angola and Iran will prove a challenge but not one that is insurmountable, and a place is the last 16 is realistic.

A second round match against Argentina or Holland ought to be a bridge too far however for the Mexicans who came second in the CONCACAF qualifying.

Mexico's fine goalkeeping tradition is suitably upheld at the tournament with a battle taking place for the number one shirt. Oswaldo Sanchez of Guadalajara is the incumbent but in Guillermo Ochoa of America Mexico may have the finest young goalkeeper at the tournament.

With Mexico's team once again built around local players, it will be left to Barcelona's Rafael Márquez to provide some European ‘nous’ in central defence. The remainder of the back four should comprise veteran defender Claudio Suarez, alongside Carlos Salcido and Ricardo Osorio. Mexico will need to be defensively austere if they are to do well.

Mexico may struggle in midfield and were overpowered by the Americans in that area during qualification. The lack of Mexican’s playing in Europe – due to the high domestic wage levels – may count against them. The centre of the park will again be built around América’s Pavel Pardo who’s career has spanned spells at Atlas and UAG Tecos. His 125 caps will bring great experience to the Mexican’s side. Alongside Pardo will be Luis Ernesto Pérez, whose return to prominence came at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Up front the surprise exclusion of Cuauhtémoc Blanco has left room for others to profit. The attack is likely to be built around Bolton's experienced forward Jared Borgetti, who has an excellent record at international level. He could be joined by Villareal's Guillermo Franco, who even at 30 is a recent addition the line-up. Their form will be crucial to Mexico's chances of progressing in the tournament. Atypically for the Mexicans both Borgetti and Franco are excellent in the air, and will provide a major weapon.

Qualification was achieved comfortably, although a 2-0 loss to the United States meant that they finished behind their neighbours to the North. Indeed the Americans can probably feel aggrieved that they did not claim a FIFA seeding and an easier group.

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS

• Gold Cup Champions in 1993, 1996, 1998, and 2003
• Copa América Quarterfinals in 1995 and 2004
• Confederations Champions in 1999
WORLD CUP RECORD
Qualified 1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1978, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2002
Quarter finalists 1970, 1986
COLOURS
Green shirts, white shorts, red socks.
TEAM STARS

Rafael Márquez
Age: 27
Height: 180cm
Weight: 66kg
Club: Barcelona
International career: 59 caps, 6 goals
The Barcelona stopper-cum-defensive midfielder is the mainstay of the Mexican defence. His rugged no-nonsense style could see him in trouble with some of the tournaments more precious referees, however. He joined Barcelona after a successful spell with Monaco in the French League. Entering the tournament off a highly successful Spanish season will have filled Márquez with confidence and will hope to help Mexico surprise some teams in Germany.
Jared Borgetti
Age: 32
Height: 185cm
Weight: 73kg
Club: Bolton Wanderers
International career: 65 caps, 37 goals
El Zorro del Desierto is yet to show the Premiership his full range of skills but will lead his team into the tournament with an excellent international record. His classy first touch is often overshadowed by his world class ability in the air. His brightest moment on the international stage came at the 2005 Confederations Cup, where goals against Brazil and Germany steered Mexico to a solid tournament. Goals may be hard to come by for the Mexicans at the World Cup and they will rely heavily on Lancashire's adopted son.
Guillermo Franco
Age: 30
Height: 182cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Villareal
International career: 5 caps, 2 goals
The Argentinean-born striker’s career with Villareal has come to something of a halt this season, with spells on the bench permeating an excellent run in the Champion's League. He was something of a celebrity is Mexico, however, after a goalscoring spell with Rayados. This came after six years with San Lorenzo back in Argentina. His naturalisation meant a late start to Franco’s international career, having only recently come into the side at the age of 30. He will hope to make mark his first and last tournament with a goal or two – and will be a key man for Los Tricoleres, sharing striking duties with Borgetti.

COACH

Ricardo Lavolpe (54), the Argentinean in charge, is a former Club Atlético Banfield, San Lorenzo, Atlante and Oaxtepec goalkeeper who was a squad member when Argentina won the World Cup in 1978. His main experience as manager has come in his adopted country with Puebla, Atlante, Guadalajara, Querétaro, América, Atlas and Toluca.
His abrasive style has ruffled feathers, however, with Mexico's national hero Hugo Sanchez calling for his departure. He also pulled a surprise by leaving Cuauhtémoc Blanco on the sidelines. The record is good though, qualification was achieved with ease and the performance at the 2005 Confederations Cup, and in the 2004 Gold Cup means Mexico enter World Cup 2006 as seeds.

World Cup Squad

Bet on the World Cup

Goalkeepers Oswaldo Sanchez (Guadalajara), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Jesus Corona (Tecos).
Defenders Jose Antonio Castro (America), Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Mario Mendez (Monterrey), Ricardo Osorio (Cruz Azul), Francisco Rodriguez (Guadalajara), Carlos Salcido (Guadalajara), Claudio Suarez (Chivas USA, USA), Andres Guardado (Atlas), Gonzalo Pineda (Guadalajara)
Midfielders Luis Perez (Monterrey), Pavel Pardo (America), Antonio Naelson (Toluca), Rafael Garcia (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Ramon Morales (Guadalajara)
Forwards Jared Borgetti (Bolton Wanderers, England), Guillermo Franco (Villarreal, Spain), Francisco Fonseca (Cruz Azul), Omar Bravo (Guadalajara), Jesus Arellano (Monterrey)

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