Q&A with David Beckham
World Cup Countdown - Mexico
Mexico Squad
This Week In Football's Past
Where Are They Now? Jeff Astle
'Interesting' World Cup
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World Cup Countdown - Mexico
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 Features 2 
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WORLD CUP COUNTDOWN
No 18 Mexico
 They're the Martini Boys of world success; they'll play any time, any place, anywhere. But will Mexico pose any kind of real threat in France?
Mexico coach Manuel Lapuente insists that his team can be a success in France, but the reality is that they travel to France as rank outsiders in group E. Mexico are notoriously poor travellers. They have only won two World Cup finals matches outside of their own country. So when Lapuente says: "We can be a big surprise in France" few people are taking him seriously. Former great Hugo Sanchez is one who does not think Mexico will go far in France. The former hitman, famous for his goal celebrations, says: "The coach and his team are in dreamland if they think they can bring the World Cup back from France." Lapuente is not promising to win the World Cup though, but he insists the Mexicans can spring a surprise in France. "Every team in the World Cup can be beaten," the coach insists. "We'll be going to France to win."
Mexico are not short on international experience. They are the Martini men of the international game - they'll play any time, any place, anywhere if the price is right. They've toured all over the world in recent years, collecting appearance money wherever they go.
But the Mexicans rarely face quality opposition. In the CONCACAF region (north and central America), only the USA are approaching their standard. Qualifying for major tournaments is a mere formality most of the time, but Mexico could do with some decent opposition once in while - which is why they are trying to switch to CONMEBOL, the South American region.
Under Lapuente, who took over as national coach late last year, succeeding Bora Milutinovic, Mexico had a bright start. They won the CONCACAF Gold Cup, beating the USA 1-0 in the final, but since then their form has dipped. Lapuente has rung the changes in a big way, bringing in youngsters and threatening to drop some of the old guard.
However, most of the key players remain in place. Luis Suarez is the main man at the back. Luis Hernandez is the main hope for goals. Cuauhtemoc Blanco is an exciting attacking talent, while Ramon Ramirez and Garcia Aspe do the work in midfield. And if all else fails, there's always Jorge Campos, the original goal poacher turned goalkeeper, between the sticks. His multicoloured shirts brightened up Mexico's drab campaign at USA 94. This time around, they may have more cause to call on his goalkeeping skills.
THE GREATS
Hugo Sanchez
Antonio Carbajal
Luis Suarez
BIGGEST WIN
9-0 v Martinque, July 11 1993.
MOST EMBARASSING DEFEAT
3-1 v Libya, October 11 1985
STRANGE BUT TRUE
1. The Mexican Wave was first seen at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. (Actually, not very strange at all when you come to think of it!)
2. Striker Luis Alves Zague once scored seven goals in a game against Martinique.
3. The 1986 World Cup Final between Argentina and West Germany was watched by 114,000 in the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City - a record attendance for a World Cup Final.
4. Mexico have won the CONCACAF Gold Cup more times than any other country.
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WORLD CUP HISTORY
Despite their World Cup pedigree, Mexico's World Cup history is not something to write home about. They have won only seven of 33 matches played in the finals, and of those seven, five have been on home soil, in 1970 and 1986. Those two tournaments have given Mexico their best results - they reached the quarter- finals on both occasions, losing to eventual finalists Italy in 1970 and to runners-up West Germany on penalties in 1986. Last time out in the USA, the Mexicans topped their first round group on goal difference from Norway, Italy and the Republic of Ireland. But they came unstuck in the second round, losing on penalties to eventual semi-finalists Bulgaria.
WORLD CUP
FINALS RECORD
Year Round Reached
1930 First round
1934 Did not qualify
1938 Did not enter
1950 First round
1954 First round
1958 First round
1962 First round
1966 First round
1970 Quarter-finals
1974 Did not qualify
1978 First round
1982 Did not qualify
1986 Quarter-finals
1990 Did not qualify
1994 Last 16
Total games played 33, Won 7, Drawn 8, Lost 18
Goals for 31, Goals against 68
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HOW MEXICO
QUALIFIED
Mexico had one of the easiest routes to France. With three places now up for grabs for the CONCACAF (north and central America) region, Mexico are virtually guaranteed automatic qualification for every World Cup finals from here on in. Under coach Bora Milutinovic, the Mexicans had an early hiccup, losing to Honduras and Jamaica in their opening round group, before finishing strongly as
winners
CENTRAL AMERICAN ZONE GROUP 3 (including scorers for Mexico)
15.09.96 St Vincent 0-3 (R Pelaez 2, D Alvarez)
21.09.96 Honduras 2-1 (R Ramirez)
16.10.96 Jamaica 2-1 (Alves, Hermosillo)
30.10.9 St Vincent 5-1 (Galindo 2, Alves, Hermosillo, Walker)
06.11.96 Honduras 3-1 (Galindo, Hermosillo, Alves)
17.11.96 Jamaica 1-0
Jamaica
P6 W4 D1 L1 F12 A3 Pts13
*Mexico
6 4 0 2 14 6 12
Honduras
6 3 1 2 18 11 10
St Vincent
6 0 0 6 6 30 0
*Mexico qualify for final round
FINAL ROUND (including scorers for Mexico)
02.03.97 Canada 4-0 (Hermosillo 2, Galindo, Alves)
16.03.97 Costa Rica 0-0
13.04.97 Jamaica 6-0 (Galindo, Hermosillo 3, Del Olmo, Hernandez)
20.04.97 USA 2-2 (Hermosillo, Hernandez)
08.06.97 El Salvador 0-1 (Luis Garcia)
05.10.97 El Salvador 5-0 (Galindo 2, A Garcia Aspe, Alves, Luis Garcia)
12.10.97 Canada 2-2 (Alfaro, R Ramirez)
02.11.97 USA 0-0
09.11.97 Costa Rica 3-3 (Chavez, Galindo, Hermosillo)
16.11.97 Jamaica 0-0
*Mexico
P10 W4 D6 L0 F23 A7 Pts18
USA
10 4 5 1 17 9 17
Jamaica
10 3 5 2 7 12 14
Costa Rica
10 3 3 4 13 12 12
El Salvador
10 2 4 4 11 16 10
Canada
10 1 3 6 5 20 6
*Mexico qualify for finals
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FRANCE 98 FIXTURES
v South Korea, 13 June, Lyon
The opening match against one of Asia's top teams. Mexico must win this to have any hope of making the second round.
v Belgium, 20 June, Bordeaux
A tricky encounter. The Belgiums are a well-organised side who will be difficult to break down.
v Holland, 25 June, Saint-Etienne
The toughest match of the lot against the group favourites. Avoiding defeat will be the priority.
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