Costa Rica vs. Mexico: 6 Things We Learned
Mexico lost 2-1 at Costa Rica. For the first time in 21 years, Los Ticos defeated El Tri on home soil. They were already qualified for the 2014 World Cup, but played their hearts out.
El Tri knew that they had to win or draw the game to secure a place to the playoff and despite that, they could not accomplish the feat. Now, they will face New Zealand in a month in the hope of securing the last ticket to Brazil 2014.
The United States overcame a 2-1 score to beat Panama 2-3, giving Mexico a breath of fresh air.
After the shameful defeat, here are the six things we learned in the game.
Mexico Do Not Deserve the Playoff
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Mexico cannot be considered the CONCACAF giant when their Hexagonal record looks like this: 2-5-3. The team lost nine points at the Estadio Azteca, something that had never happened before.
The defeat against Costa Rica at the Estadio Nacional was the first one in 21 years but also meant that El Tri was hanging by a thread and depending on the result of the Panama vs. USA game.
"#YoureWelcomeMexico @miseleccionmx
— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) October 16, 2013"
This is shameful if you take into consideration that the local league is the strongest in CONCACAF, according to the IFFHS, and that there had never been so many Mexicans playing abroad.
El Tri should have the capacity to qualify automatically and not through a playoff.
Carlos Peña Gives Mexico Another Face
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Carlos Peña fought hard. He gave depth and diversity to El Tri, which the team lacked since the first game of the Hexagonal, back in February against Jamaica.
He has to be an undisputed starter.
His ball possession is superb and he takes advantage of his strength and speed like few. Creativity-wise he is the best that Mexico have right now.
Javier Aquino Was a Ghost
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Javier Aquino was never a factor. He was absent and far from being the winger he is with Villarreal. Aquino needs to mature and commit with El Tri.
He was so lost against Costa Rica that Christian Gimenez had to help him for more than 45 minutes.
Aquino is in no shape to be a starter, he must stay on the bench or leave.
Mexico need the best of the best, and Aquino has been faltering since the Confederations Cup.
Javier Hernandez Is Going Through a Tough Time
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Javier Hernandez has struggled a lot in the second half of the Hexagonal. Chicharito is having a tough time because he is not playing with Manchester United.
Hernandez does not have continuity with his club and that it is hurting him. Mexico are in desperate need of a striker that can keep the ball and create plays.
Right now, that man is Raul Jimenez, not Chicharito.
Oribe Peralta Is Mexico's Most Valuable Asset
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Mexico need to thank Oribe Peralta. The Santos striker is El Tri’s top scorer of the Hexagonal, with three goals.
In the last year, Peralta has been the team savior. He scored both goals in the gold-medal match in the Summer Olympics.
He was the first Mexican to score at the Estadio Azteca in the Hexagonal.
Peralta is by far the best man that El Tri have right now.
There Is a Long Way to Go
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Mexico must work on their mindset and strategy. Those are the things that have been missing from the start of the Hexagonal.
Victor Manuel Vucetich was not going to work miracles in two games but he certainly could have done better.
He waited too long to make substitutions against Panama and Costa Rica. He went with Hugo Ayala, when it was clear at the Estadio Azteca that he is not mentally strong enough to play games as important as these two.
Jorge Torres Nilo and Miguel Layun need to cover better. They are great when they attack but they must come back quickly to defend and help the centre-backs.
Do not forget that El Tri have not secured their ticket to Brazil 2014.
Mexico have two more games ahead and they will not be easy. New Zealand are already in the American continent and have played a couple of friendly games ahead of the big game, which will take place in November.
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