Earning a recent 4-2 International Friendly victory over Finland, the Mexican National soccer team provided themselves with some much needed confidence and momentum heading into a crucial World Cup Qualifying playoff against New Zealand. Now under the direction of passionate head coach Miguel Herrera - after the international squad parted ways with former boss Chepo de la Torre in September - El Tri still has a few final tune-ups to make before heading into the two-leg qualifying playoff against New Zealand set to begin on November 13.
The biggest decision Herrera - who became a popular figure for his celebrations after guiding Liga MX Club America to a recent championship - will have to make will figuring out how many high-profile figures to place on the Mexico roster come the start of the playoff. Mexico has made an appearance in five-straight World Cup's and needing to claim a victory in the two-leg showdown with New Zealand, Herrera will undoubtedly be forced to make tough decisions. As ESPNFC recently reported, El Piojo has already named 10 players from his Liga MX club to the roster, with each player present for the club's recent friendly victory over New Zealand.
Club America standouts present for the Finland match included Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Maza Rodriguez, Moises Munoz, Paul Aguilar, Adrian Aldrete, Juan Carlos Medina, Miguel Layun, Luis Mendoza, Raul Jimenez and Jesus Molina. With the playoff series only two weeks away, Herrera said recently that he is unlikely to recall multiple Mexican stars from Europe simply because their current playing schedules coupled with a tough travel schedule may not have them prepared at the highest level needed. Mexico knows they'll need to be at full-strength against New Zealand and as Herrera points out, rested players will be a major key to success, even if it means leaving Manchester United's Javier Hernandez and Villareal's Giovani dos Santos off the playoff roster.
"It is not that they are bad, they are very good players, but the trip is very taxing and arriving on Nov. 7, 8 or 9 to play on the 13th, they won't finish adapting to the situation that we are looking for," Herrera said following the win over Finland. "That is what has us practically decided against bringing anyone from Europe. I am very satisfied with these 22 players that I have at this moment."
Herrera also noted that he likes his team to get stronger through repitition and having the familiarity of 10 players from his Club America team beside him as member of El Tri, El Piojo hopes the relationship and practice with these players proves to be worthwhile against New Zealand.
"I work on repetitions a lot so that everything is clear I trust my players and I always tell them, you cannot go down without trying," said Herrera. "We have to try everything the only thing prohibited in my opinion is to give up and stop trying. People adapt faster to what they want, and I have been working with this group for two years now, they know what I expect from them on the field."
The first leg of the Mexico v. New Zealand playoff will take place on November 13 at the Estadio Azteca with the second and final match taking place in New Zealand on November 20.
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