MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Mexico took a huge step towards next year’s World Cup finals, shaking off recent bad form to pummel New Zealand 5-1 on Wednesday in their intercontinental play-off first leg.
Playing in Mexico City’s imposing Azteca Stadium, El Tri delivered on their manager Miguel Herrera’s pre-game call to take a big goal advantage into the second leg in New Zealand on November 20.
It was a huge turnaround for Mexico, who barely made it to the play-off after struggling in their North and Central America and Caribbean regional group, finishing fourth out of six teams.
After winning just twice and scoring a paltry seven goals in 10 games within the CONCACAF final group, the Mexicans looked like a revived team as they came out charging against the All Whites.
Herrera, who last month became Mexico’s fourth manager in six weeks, had voiced confidence that his team would win, even asking his squad to score at least three goals to take them closer to Brazil next year.
New Zealand, who made it to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after a memorable play-off victory against Bahrain, had hoped to keep it close but Mexico were the stronger
side. AFP
