And now Mexico must get a result in Costa Rica
The tears of tension and joy have dried in the aftermath of Mexico´s 2-1 victory over Panama on Friday. Now the realization has returned that although one battle ended successfully, the campaign to qualify for the 2014 World Cup continues.
At least, it does so for Mexico, but not for upcoming opponent Costa Rica. The Ticos sealed up qualifying some time ago, so their recent loss versus Honduras wasn´t really damaging.
For Mexico´s players, however, the agony (Javier Hernandez´s weak penalty attempt) and the ecstasy (Raul Jimenez´s glorious bicycle-kick goal) of their victory must be put aside because there is still so much to do.
To best position itselfin the final standings, Mexico must attempt to do what no other CONCACAF Hexagonal opponent has managed this year -- get points out of Costa Rica in San Jose. The Ticos have won every 2014 qualifying match in their national stadium.
To pull out a victory or a draw from the game, Mexico will have to forget about both extremes of the match against Panama.
Hernandez´s penalty shot was poor, no doubt, but dwelling on the mistake won´t help. The emotional, young striker is no doubt agonizing about it, as evidenced by his weeping after the final whistle. Coach Victor Manuel Vucetich has to make sure that Hernandez´s confidence is restored so that the striker, who is in a bit of a lull, can get back to his job of scoring goals.
Yet it´s also the winning strike of Jimenez that must be set aside. While miracles are spectacular, it´s more important that Mexico re-establishes excellent team play rather than waiting around for an almost-supernatural goal to be scored. It’s not fair to count on "San Jimenez," or any one, single player, to save the day again. The squad must shoulder the task together.
What El Tri’s players should probably do, then, is take inspiration from another incident from the Panama game.
Late in that match, substitute Christian "Chaco" Gimenez knocked heads with a Panamanian defender while contesting a header opportunity. The clash injured Gimenez, whose head began to bleed profusely. A clumsy-looking bandage was wound around his head quickly to allow him to remain in the game. Gimenez played on until the end, even as blood seeped into the bandage.
That’s classic, never-say-die warrior mentality, and the fans responded by giving the Argentine-born player cheers and applause. No citizenship ceremony could have more validly made Gimenez a true Mexican than to spill his own blood in Estadio Azteca for Mexico´s cause.
Gimenez´s injury later required seven stitches to close, but he was back training with his El Tri teammates on Sunday.
Good players can err, as Hernandez did on his penalty kick. Not every goal is going to be as stunningly spectacular as the game winner by Jimenez. In the midst of all the drama and angst generated by Mexico´s qualifying woes, the get-on-with-it, bloody-or-not mentality exemplified by Gimenez is a welcome reminder of what really makes a team come together.
When the highs and lows make the roller-coaster ride dizzying, it’s time for the engine to push on to the finish line. "We think we can" needs to be the mantra versus Costa Rica, then New Zealand if need be, all the way to the end. "Si, se puede."
Yes, there are still many problems with Mexico´s play, but those expecting a total overhaul from new coach Vucetich in one game are unrealistic. It was never going to be that easy. It is still going to take sweat, tears and blood.
Brasil: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense, Botafogo (100% Carioca) Rio > Säo Paulo
MENGÃO TRI DA AMÈRICA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlVt8zJhXQ