Paraguay nets late winner

By: John | June 6th, 2007

Mexico vs. Paraguay They say Mexico does not lose at the Azteca. Paraguay did not get the memo. Oscar Cardozo put a brilliant finishing touch on Paraguay’s only threatening play in the 2nd half to defeat Mexico 1-0 last night. It was Mexico’s first loss at the Azteca since Costa Rica defeated them 2-1 in the 2002 qualifiers.

Hugo Sanchez used the Paraguay game to observe the players that did not see action in Saturday’s tilt with Iran, including Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Omar Bravo, Alberto Medina, Oswaldo Sanchez, and Stuttgart Chapions Pavel Pardo and Ricardo Osorio. What he saw was a team that playing at half speed, more itnerested in avoiding injury than attacking the solid Paraguayan defense. Mexico were a tired team that lacked cohesiveness. It wasn’t until Blanco’s appearance in the 2nd half that Mexico began to show any life at all.

Mexico’s best play of the night came from a brilliant volley combination with Fernando Arce, Alberto Medina, and Omar Bravo, who hit the post with his touch. Arce just missed getting the rebound. Most of Mexico’s chances were nullified bu the stalwart Guarani defense, whose impeccable timing would sabotage the Mexican attackers goal efforts at the last possible minute.

Fans at the Azteca are certainly not used to seeing Mexico lose there, and after the Paraguay goal they responded as they usually do by booing the Mexcian players when they handled the ball. To add a little flair to their contempt, they oléed every time Paraguay completed a pass.

The honeymoon is clearly over for Hugo Sanchez as the games that count are on tap. In his 6 friendlies prior to Friday’s Gold Cup Opener, Sanchez has 4 victories and 2 defeats, and a plus 6 goal differential. Of the players that he has called up, Fernando Arce has emerged as a very viable option. Andres Guardado continues to impress, and it is still too early to tell whether or not Nery Castillo will proivide the killer instinct Mexico has lacked.

There was an incident at the end of the game when the Paraguayan keeper hit Blanco in the head with the ball after the final whistle was blown. Both teams puffed out their chests and threatened to puff them out more. If anything, it showed Mexico’s team unity as they came to the defense of Temo. Let’s see if they can come together now.

Mexico will play Cuba this Friday at 8:00 PM CDT, Honduras on Sunday at 3:00 PM CDT at Giants Stadium, and will conclude group play vs. Panama at 9PM wednesday at Reliant Stadium in Houston.