International Friendly: Mexico vs. New Zealand

Posted Tuesday, March 02, 2010 by Goal.com

Mexico and New Zealand play on Wednesday in the only FIFA date before the World Cup.

Who: Mexico vs. New Zealand
What: International Friendly
When: 11 p.m. ET, Wednesday, Mar. 3
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.
TV: Telemundo

El Tricolor will face off against New Zealand in the only FIFA date before the World Cup rosters are announced.

Manager Javier Aguirre has called on nine European-based players for the match. At some point, they will all enter the match since it's the last chance for Javier Aguirre to take notes and decide whether these player are worthy of a plane ticket to South Africa.

The Mexican-based players have already displayed their worth with the 5-0 thrashing of Bolivia; now it’s the internationals' turn.

Brothers Dos Santos

For the first time ever brothers Giovanni and Jonathan Dos Santos could see playing time together. This duo has been anticipated by the Mexican media and fans since Jonathan pledged his allegiance to Mexico. There are problems to this planned combination, however.

The two brothers on the field do sound attractive, but it’s not about pretty or about selling tickets right now. All the focus is on the World Cup and on Mexico fielding the best possible combination of players for the World Cup.

Giovanni has been receiving regular minutes since his move to Galatasaray. The midfielder has proven that he can play and play very well in the national team ranks. That isn't the issue.

With Jona finding it difficult to get playing time in Barcelona, Javier Aguirre might have no choice but to leave the player out. That is of course unless Jona manages to put in a wonderful display on Wednesday.

Jonathan had an average performance in his first and only appearance for Aguirre’s squad. Jonathan would have to take over a position that is regularly played by Luis Miguel Noriega or sometimes Israel Castro. Noriega is not featuring in the encounter but Israel Castro will be at hand to try and earn his ticket to South Africa.

Old Guns Or Young Pistols?

Who’s better: the younger players who posses the speed and stamina, or the older, more wiley players? This will be debated by Javier Aguirre in the months leading up to the World Cup. Last week there was a good display from both sides. You had youngsters Javier Hernandez and Pablo Barrera flying all over the place, then there was veteran Braulio Luna who once again showed that he still has what it takes to go the full 90.

This time older and younger players from Europe will join the mix. Rafael Marquez, Carlos Salcido, and Ricardo Osorio are among the more senior players playing abroad. Now mix in Carlos Vela, Jonathan Dos Santos and Giovanni Dos Santos, who make up the younger core in Europe.

Last week the Mexican defense did just fine without any European presence. Paul Aguilar looked very dominant down the right flank as he continually went up and down the field. Jorge Torres also did a solid job in the back. The only two who looked out of place were Jonny Magallon and Hugo Ayala. Rafael Marquez, Carlos Salcido and Francisco Rodriguez could very well take over those spots but many have been calling for the younger Hector Moreno to fill the central defender position.

Up top we will probably be entertained by one of Carlos Vela, Javier Hernandez, or Giovanni Dos Santos. But two veterans have missed out on the recent rosters. Guillermo Franco did not get called even though he sees more playing time than Carlos Vela in the Premier League, and Miguel Sabah seems to be forgotten as well, even though he is third in overall scoring in the Mexican league.

Javier Aguirre will use a mix of old and young, and this game should provide a good basis towards which side Javier Aguirre will sway.

Bad Choice For Last FIFA Date

With only one FIFA date before the World Cup, Mexico is going to be preparing against the almighty New Zealand squad. The Kiwis are currently ranked 79th by FIFA but are going to the World Cup thanks to an easy qualifying group.

Bolivia is ranked higher than New Zealand, to put things in perspective. Ecuador and Venezuela would have made a better match up. Since New Zealand is going to the World Cup, of course FMF would chose an opponent from the Oceanic zone.

Mexico will play some top tier teams to finish out their friendly calendar, but by then the official WC squad will already have been announced. If there’s a mistake, there is no way of going back and fixing it.

New Zealand should be an easy opponent for Mexico. El Tri will look like a dominant force which could make for false impressions. Hopefully New Zealand does put in more of a fight than Bolivia, because so far the defense and the goalkeepers have not been tested.

Projected Staring Lineups

Mexico

Jonathan Orozco ( Monterrey); Carlos Salcido (PSV) Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Efrain Juarez (Pumas); Giovanni Dos Santos (Galatasaray), Jonathan Dos Santos (Barcelona), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruña); Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Chivas)

New Zealand

Glen Moss (Melbourne Victory); Tony Lochhead (Wellington Phoenix), Andrew Boyens (Ney York Red Bulls), Steven Old (Kilmarnock), Ben Sigmund (Wellington Phoenix); Andy Barron (Team Wellington), Leo Bertos (Wellington Phoenix), Tim Brown (Wellington Phoenix), Simon Elliot (San Jose Earthquakes); Shane Smeltz (Gold Coast United), Chris Killen (Middlesbrough)

Goal.com Prediction: Mexico 4, New Zealand 1