Mexico

Despite Missed Chances, Blanco Content With Result

Cuauhtemoc Blanco assured reporters that the most important thing on Wednesday was that Mexico won 2-1 and gained three critical points in World Cup qualifying.

Jun 11, 2009 3:44:46 AM

More On : Mexico

Cuauhtemoc Blanco played consecutive games for the Mexican national team for the first time in the Hexagonal round. Blanco has not quite worked the same magic as he did in 2001, when he instantly turned around a Mexico squad and helped El Tri quickly gain points in the Hexagonal round.

However, following Wednesday's 2-1 win over Trinidad and Tobago, Blanco said the result would be the same now as it was eight years ago.

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"I love the national team immensely," Blanco told reporters after the match. "We will go to the World Cup."

In his first game back after his return to El Tri, Blanco scored a goal but Mexico lost 2-1 in El Salvador. On Wednesday, Blanco started and went the distance, unlike Saturday's match when he came on at halftime.

Against Trinidad, Mexico created many scoring chances and Blanco was a part of that as he played his familiar spot in the center of the attack. He pulled the right strings early on when he was involved in the first goal of the game, which fell in the first minute of the game. From then on, though, Blanco was frought with disappointment as he and his teammates squandered numerous scoring chances.

"We had many chances that we did not take advantage of but I am happy because we got the three points," Blanco said. "I believe we need a bit more patience as we seem to be putting too much pressure on ourselves."

Starting the match and wearing the captain's armband, Wednesday's game harkened back to an era when Blanco was in his prime and Mexico were dominant at home and successful on the road. Now, Blanco heads into unfamiliar territory as Mexico will try and bounce back from a 2-3-0 record in qualifying with a better performance when qualifying resumes Aug. 12 against the U.S.

Blanco said he knows his role on the Aguirre's team.

"I have to do my work and help out my teammates," Blanco said. "We are all putting in the effort and when we need to perform we need to do so as best we can."

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