Mexico

Dos Santos Focused On Haiti

Giovani Dos Santos said the team's focus is on Haita and the Gold Cup quarterfinals, not on the U.S. and World Cup qualifying.

Jul 13, 2009 12:10:38 AM

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Giovani Dos Santos - Mexico - Marion Medina - Nicaragua (Mexsport)

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Mexico seemed to find themselves with their attack against Guadeloupe. Many predicted this would be a close game that ultimately Guadeloupe would win. Mexico silenced their critics by pinning Guadeloupe back on their side of the field and keeping the pressure throughout. Mexico scored two goals and had a chance of making more, the finishing wasn't’t there though and they had to settle with what they had.

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The win comes as a huge pressure-lifter for El Tri who needed a win to stay alive. Giovani Dos Santos also thought the game was important for Mexico not only for the Gold Cup but just for the teams being.

“I think it was a an important game for us so that we can start working without the pressure and we accomplished what we were supposed to do," Dos Santos said after the game.

Mexico played and won with Javier Aguirre as a spectator. Aguirre received a three-match ban and was not able to be with his team on the field. Instead Mario Carrillo took over the reins but Giovani knows that having Aguirre on the field is very important.

“I think there was understanding on the field,” admitted Dos Santos. “I think it’s important to have him there because he helps us a lot, but we know what he expects of us and we’ll do it.”

El Tri’s next opponent will be Haiti in the quarterfinals of the Gold Cup. Haiti is coming off a positive result against the U.S. where they tied 2-2. Aside form the Haiti game there is also an even more important game that is looming in the air. A potential match against the U.S. is certainly on the player’s minds. Dos Santos, though says he is well concentrated on Haiti and doesn'tt think about the U.S.

“I don’t think about the Aug. 12 game. We will be thinking and focusing on the next game against Haiti," he said. "Once the Gold Cup finishes then we can start thinking about our next rival.”

The game against Haiti will be an important one. It could serve the Mexican as a measuring stick that they would use to see where they stack against the U.S. But the U.S. comes later and now it’s on to Dallas for Giovani and El Tri.

Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com

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