And Then There Was Light

The Costa Rican’s hopes for another Aztecazo came crashing today. They just weren’t in it this time and the team that had done so well during qualifying was beat by a gaining strength Mexico. With a weird dance after the goals, Omar Bravo and Pavel Pardo both scored goals at the Azteca stadium to give Mexico it’s first 3 points en route to South Africa 2010. So now things are looking a little more sunny. Until Earth Hour(8:30 YOUR time). But then on Wednesday, there’ll be more light at the end of the tunnel.

Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa; Ricardo Osorio (Jonny Magallon, 80), Leobardo Lopez, Aaron Galindo, Fausto Pinto; Fernando Arce, Pavel Pardo, Leandro Augusto, Andres Guardado (Gerardo Torrado, 80); Omar Bravo, Matias Vuoso (Omar Arellano, 88).

Costa Rica: Ricardo Gonzalez; Roy Myrie (Armando Alonso, 60), Michael Umana, Freddy Fernandez, Junior Diaz; Oscar Granado (Alvaro Saborio, 46), Celso Borges, William Sunsing (Pablo Brenes, 51), Oscar Rojas; Andy Furtado, Bryan Ruiz.

Let’s be honest, the game wasn’t particularly very exciting. The stadium was sold out (over 110,000 people there) and it seemed like Costa Rica came out to support their team pretty well. The highest elected officials of both countries were there as well, both FelipeVicente Calderon(President of Mexico) and Oscar Arias(President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Prize recipient) were seated together on a balcony. That’s how important the game was for both countries.

In the 20th minute Bravo scored the first goal. Matias Vuoso slipped him a pass and Bravo shot at the keeper. The keeper was able to stop the shot but veered it and Bravo got to it again. He sent it in for the first goal, and Mexico was up 1-0. The team did this little train dance, which was ridiculous. They needed more planning.

In the 52nd Mexico went up 2-0 with a penalty from Pardo, won by Pardo. He had rushed into the area and fell when a Costa Rican player swayed his hips and pushed Pardo down. Pardo easily got the ball into the top of the net, and this time the celebration dance turned out a little better.

Ochoa didn’t have much to do after being picked over Oswaldo Sanchez, and his first test came in the 55th during a free kick from Costa Rica that easily went into his hands. Minutes later Costa Rica attacked and Ochoa made a great save by tipping the ball over the bar, but it was ultimately deemed offsides.

Mexico’s next game is against Honduras, in Honduras. This country has given Mexico more trouble recently and it’ll be interesting to see if El Tri can keep this 2 game streak up. Carlos Salcido, and Carlos Vela will also be available for this game.

For now, Eriksson’s job is safe.