Mexico Faces Must-Win Match Against Panama to Qualify for 2014 World Cup

Friday, October 11, 2013 is going to be a monumentally important day for Mexico’sNational Soccer Team. As World Cup Qualifiers are coming to an end, Mexico finds themselves in fifth place in the CONCACAF table. The United States and Costa Rica have both mathematically qualified, leaving only one guaranteed slot and one intercontinental playoff slot in which CONCACAF’s 4th place team will face New Zealand in a home and away playoff. 

Mexico’s most likely chance of qualification will come through the intercontinental playoff. However, for them to even have a chance to reach this playoff, Mexico must first beat Panama on Friday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. In the past, Azteca has been a fortress for Mexico in which they were usually guaranteed a win or at least a tie. But the reason the find themselves in this current predicament is that their form at Azteca has been off, only securing 3 points in their last four matches at Azteca with three ties and a loss.

As they approach this crucial match, Mexico is looking at their European based players to have a major impact on the game. This list includes Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, Giovanni Dos Santos and Javier Aquino but unfortunately does not include Héctor Moreno (injury) and Andrés Guardado (form). Another notable inclusion into Mexico’s roster is Rafael Marquez. The Mexican veteran and previous captain had retired from international duty but head coach Victor Manuel Vucetich has called him back in the hope that the team will benefit of his experience and veteran presence. 

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Olympic Semifinal Preview: Mexico vs. Japan

Expectations were high for Mexico’s soccer team leading up to the 2012 Olympics Games, with most analysts predicting that they would bring home a medal. On Saturday they moved one step closer to achieving this by defeating a strong Senegalese team 4-2 in extra time of the quarterfinals.

On Tuesday’s semifinal match, Mexico will face Japan in what analysts anticipate being a strong scoring performance for both teams. Mexico has scored 7 goals in the tournament, while Japan has scored 5, three of which came in their quarterfinal game against Egypt.

Historically, Japan’s best Olympic performance came in 1968 when they earned the bronze medal. For Mexico, this marks the first time they’ve made it past the quarterfinals stage.

One of the keys to Mexico’s success has been their defense, which held South Korea, Gabon, and Switzerland to scoreless matches in the Group rounds. On offence, Mexico will rely heavily on Giovani dos Santos and Marco Fabian.  Dos Santos has been the team’s offensive anchor with 3 goals and 3 assists, essentially taking part in all but one of Mexico’s goals. While Fabian was the team’s top goal scorer leading up to the Olympics with 14 goals in 17 appearances for the U23 national team.

Both countries are expected to play possession and passing soccer, but analysts expect Mexico’s better creative ability in the midfield should give them the edge to win the game.

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Sevilla Plan to Acquire Giovani Dos Santos

The Primera Liga outfit identified Giovani dos Santos as a top target over the summer, but were unable to reach an agreement.

The Mexican forward remains out of favor at White Hart Laneand is keen to secure a switch elsewhere.

Giovani dos Santos has endured rough couple of seasons in English football since making a move to Tottenham from Barcelona in 2008.

Sevilla are prepared to offer him an escape route, but concede that Spurs will need to lower their demands before a deal can be done.

"We believe Giovani wants to leave Tottenham and that could be decisive," said Rodriguez.

"He was our first choice in the summer but Tottenham wanted too much money."

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MMNT: Giovani Dos Santos Happy to be Healthy and Eyes Victory Over Brazil

Giovani Dos Santos says he is happy to be added to the Mexico Men's National team for their match against Brazil. The Tottenham Hotspur midfielder explained that he is thrilled to be healthy and is excited about the opportunity to play for El Tri again.

"I'm happy to be here, it is always important to be in the national team and hopefully we do well," said the confident Dos Santos, "I'm glad to be physically well again, I am in shape [and] that's what matters."

Dos Santos said that Mexico's national team has the momentum and skill to challenge a stacked Brazilian squad. Although, MMNT remain unbeaten since Jose Manuel de la Torre took over the national representative, the Brazilians are arguably the best squad in Latin America, if not the world. Yet, despite Brazil's record, Gio remains ever confident in El Tri. 

"We have been playing well, the team is doing well, I think we are all in good shape, we coming to win."

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Sevilla chief Monchi explains loan offer to Tottenham winger Giovani dos Santos

Sevilla sports chief Monchi has explained why they offered only a loan deal for Tottenham winger Giovani dos Santos.

Giovani rejected a £13 million move to Udinese as he wanted to join Sevilla, but the Spanish Liga club refused to go close to Spurs' valuation.

Monchi explained: "We thought we were doing Spurs a favour. The player would have four months with us, playing regularly and be worth more at the end of the period than when he started.

"It's unfortunate, but the world hasn't ended because we didn't sign Giovani."

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