Mexico's Young Stars Expect Tough Game Against Americans

Guillermo Ochoa said Mexico will be going for vindication for losing the 2007 Gold Cup final.

Jul 25, 2009 7:09:34 PM

More On :  Mexico
Guillermo Ochoa - Mexico
Mexico made it to the finals of the Gold Cup 2009 after beating Costa Rica in penalties. Now they’ll face regional rivals United States on Sunday.

To the players of the Mexican national team, facing the United States comes as no big surprise.

Guillermo Ochoa, who saved a penalty in the shootout from Costa Rica’s Ledezma, sees a complicated final.  
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“Very few people believed in the players that were here and now we have the possibility of winning the Gold Cup. It was lost the last time (2007) and it’s an opportunity for vindication," Ochoa told reporters. "I’m expecting a difficult final. Since we arrived at the Gold Cup we’ve been thinking of the United States. Since the beginning it’s the rival we’ve been expecting."

Although a World Cup qualifying game is coming up against the United States, the game on Aug. 12 isn’t on Ochoa’s mind.  

“The game on the 12th doesn’t interest us nowm" Ochoa said. "It’s an important game, the group is motivated and excited.”

Carlos Vela returned from an injury that had kept him out for the majority of the tournament, to score the decisive penalty that sent Mexico into the finals.  

“We suffered, but we enjoy it more because of it, but it gives us confidence, and we’ll get there (the final) really well," Vela said. "We have to go home with the cup. The United States is always the most difficult rival that we have in the region and it’s normal to come up against them in the finals. We have to show who is the best.”  


After playing well past normal time, Giovani Dos Santos reiterated his teammates’ thoughts on the final.  

“I think that it was the final everyone expected," Dos Santos told reporters. "We have to rest and work hard during the next game to take home the title like we said at the beginning of the tournament.”

Andrea Martinez, Goal.com

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