Coach: Javier Aguirre
World Ranking: 17
Key Player: Rafael Marquez
World Cup Record: Qualified for 14 finals. Reached quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986
Group A Schedule:
11 June – South Africa v Mexico
17 June – France v Mexico
22 June - Mexico v Uuguay
With the Sven Goran Eriksson reign consigned to history, the appointment of former Athletico Madrid coach Javier Aguirre restored Mexico’s flagging confidence in the qualifying series.
A strong finish in the CONCACAF Zone saw them finish second, and with their ticket booked to South Africa, they will now hope to get beyond the round of 16 – a hurdle that have proved elusive in their last four final appearances.
Aguirre has proved to be a popular, yet no-nonsense coach. He previously managed Mexico at the 2002 World Cup finals, and despite an impressive showing in the group stages, the USA caught them on the hop in the second round.
The 2010 side is a nice blend of youth and experience, with Cuauhtemoc Blanco the talented 36-year-old, lured out of retirement by Aguirre, an important cog in Mexico’s late thrust in the qualifiers.
Familiar names in their squad include their captain Rafael Marquez; Arsenal’s Carlos Vela; West Ham striker Guillermo Franco, while much youthful exuberance is sure to be provided by the likes of Efrain Juarez, Andres Guardado and Giovani.
Playing matches at altitude will help the Mexican cause in South Africa, and don’t be surprised if they surpass recent efforts with a place in the quarter-finals.
Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Memo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Chivas), Oscar Perez (Chiapas)
Defenders: Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmmar), Francisco Rodriguez (PSV Eindhoven), Carlos Salcido (PSV Eindhoven), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM)
Midfielders: Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna)
Forwards: Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista (Guadalajara), Alberto Medina (Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Javier Hernandez (Guadalajara), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray), Guillermo Franco (West Ham), Carlos Vela (Arsenal).
