More Red Wine Please

Although it’s only a friendly, Mexico played well tonight against the “vino tinito”. The young players got a run out and were able to score. Vela and Giovani, two of the most touted young Mexican talents in the world, finally were able to perform with the big boys and helped in the 4-0 win over Venezuela.

While there are still some things to be worked on, finishing especially, things are coming together and hopefully will continue to advance for the Gold Cup that starts soon, and of course World Cup Qualifying.

Mexico:
Ochoa, Castro, Magallón, Rodríguez, Pinto, Torrado, Noriega, Martínez, Dos Santos, Vela, Sabah.

Venezuela: Romo, Salazar, Boada, Lleguez, Flores, Perozo, Rincón, Giorgi, Seijas, Moreno y Maldonado

It was Venezuela who first got off to a good start. In the 3rd minute Maldonado shot first giving a quick warning.

In the 15th they again had a chance with Moreno having a good opportunity. Had he made contact, they would’ve scored their first goal.

Then in the 17th minute Vela fell to the ground appealing for a penalty, but nothing was given.

Again, in the 20th Vela had a shot on goal, but it was too weak, and nothing came.

In the 24th Venezuela had one of the best opportunities when Ochoa was left alone with Giancarlo Maldonado, but he missed as Ochoa kicked it out with his left foot.

In the 33rd, Carlos Vela and Gio Dos Santos combined well, but the Venezuelan keeper managed to stop the shot with his boot.

Finally, in the last minute of regular time, Vela and Gio once again came together. Gio crossed in from the right for Vela who was past the goalkeeper and all he had to do was push the ball in to make the score 1-0.

It wasn’t long after the restart that Mexico once more got into scoring ways. In the 48th minute Giovani took care of making the score 2-0 by shooting from far out to curl over the keeper.

The in the 50th, Gio once more scored to make it 3-0 by coming up against the keeper and scoring. He had found his way through defenders and ignored an open Vela to set himself up and score.

Then in the 69th it was Venezuela who decided to have a shot. Moreno shot from far out and forced Ochoa into a fingertip save with his right hand.

In the 72nd Mexico decided to score once more. Omar Bravo came up the left and crossed to Omar Arellano who sent it through the legs of the keeper to make the score 4-0 for the night.

The 84th produced the last significant chance as Omar Arellano came close to scoring the 5th, but his shot went just wide.

Overall, I think that the team did well. They finally scored, and hopefully that gives them confidence.

Hopefully, the goals won’t dry up because the team hasn’t exactly been very prolific.

Giovani had the best game. He was involved in 3 of the 4 goals, scoring 2 himself. Unfortunately, the opposition wasn’t the highest, although they gave a good game and were physical at times which is what Mexico needs.

Ochoa looked confident, but then again he didn’t have much to do during this game, so I think that Aguirre should give Corona an opportunity to showcase himself on the national team.

The next game is on Sunday against Guatemala. It will also be a friendly, but these friendlies will hopefully help prepare the team for the Gold Cup which starts in July.