2010 World Cup: Mexico Can Crash The South African Party

All eyes will be on the South African side during tonight's World Cup opener but Mexico are by no means there to make up the numbers. They served serious notice of intent when they beat Italy 2-1 just ten days ago and will feel quietly confident of progressing ahead of Uruguay and South Africa. 

They were narrowly beaten by Holland in another World Cup warm up and looked to be a superior side to England despite slipping to a 3-1 defeat at Wembley. Strikers Franco and Carlos Vela may not have set the Premiership alight, with the former a free agent having been released by West Ham, but both average a goal every three games for their country.

Giovanni Dos Santos is likely to be the third prong in Mexico's attacking trident. He is another player who endured a disappointing spell in England but the Galatasaray forward's form has consistently been better on the international stage.

Barcelona's Rafael Marques is likely to anchor the midfield giving the Mexican side a solid looking shape. Half of the back four, Carlos Salcido and Francisco Rodriquez, plays for PSV Eindhoven and they will be provide a barrier which South Africa might struggle to penetrate.

Sven Goran Eriksson did not impress in a brief spell as manager which put Mexico's World Cup qualification in severe jeapordy. Eriksson was unceremoniously ejected for his side's dismal competitive record and Javier Aguirre has since returned and settled the ship. In his first spell in charge of the national team Aguirre took Mexico to the final of the Copa America and his side topped a group containing Croatia and Italy before being knocked out by the USA at the 2002 World Cup. 

Mexico were unfortunate at the 2006 World Cup when they easily progressed from a group containing Angola and Iran only to be knocked out be Argentina after extra time. The level of opposition in the group stages might be slightly higher this time around but Mexico will feel they are at least as good as the other teams in their group.

Uruguay are a respectable side but are unlikely to trouble the latter stages of the competition while France are in disarray and appear ripe for another World Cup upset. Mexico need have no inferiority complex against this level of opposition and will be confident of progression from Group A.

Mexico also have extensive international experience could conceivably field a starting line up containing eight players with 50 or more caps. Mexico will be looking to leave an indelible impression on the 2010 World Cup and they can start by defeating South Africa tonight.