Mexico

Dos Santos Blossoming Into Key Figure For Mexico

Giovani Dos Santos, a long-touted prospect, has been one of Mexico's key players during the team's qualifying turnaround.

Sep 8, 2009 2:32:52 AM

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Giovani Dos Santos' start with the senior national team was not as promising as his run with the Mexican youth squad, which he led to the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Cup championship, had led many to believe it would.

Still, amidst doubt and criticism the Tottenham striker has finally found his form and turned into a key figure in Mexico’s resurgence in the CONCACAF region.

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“No one has given me anything. Truth be told I have work very hard, in the past things did not go the way I would have liked but the truth is I began working harder every day until I improved and thanks to God things have been improving but I have yet to make an impact,” Dos Santos told reporters as the Tricolor gears up to host Honduras in CONCACAF qualifying.

Dos Santos scored a goal and had two assists in Mexico's 3-0 win over Costa Rica on Saturday. During the Gold Cup, Dos Santos had a strong performance which included a goal in the final, a 5-0 win over the U.S.

“I am happy with how I am performing but there is still more that I can give to the Mexico fans. I believe that in the past I experienced similar moments (of being atop of the world) and then came crashing down and I do not want that to happen to me again. I expect to maintain a firm hold and not believe everything that is said. It is always good to receive praise but I cannot relax and feel more important than the other players, on the contrary I have to continue doing my labor in the field and help the national team with anything I can,” continued Giovani.

For Dos Santos the trust placed on him by former Mexico boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been fundamental in his improvement with the national team.

“I believe that it was at the root of those games that I matured as a player, the criticism against me was very strong and I believe that is what helped me improve. I was playing my first games with the senior national team and everyone wanted me to be the savior of the team and that was not the case. I see myself as just one more player in the team. I do not have to demonstrate anything to anyone but help my team and my coaching staff achieve the results needed. And obviously it is fundamental to have the coaches confidence which I had with Sven and now I have with Aguirre,” explained Dos Santos.

A longtime prospect with Barcelona, Dos Santos' club career went south as he went north. He moved to Tottenham but was loaned out to second-division side Ipswich Town. However, the move paid off as he regained his form and confidence. Combined with time during World Cup qualifying, Dos Santos regained his match rhythm and form.

Now, things are going well.

“I am at a good level, I am happy with what I am doing in the field and because the national team has been improving, this is about team work, I feel more loose and more confident with each passing game, every time I am improving and I still have much to learn and improve but I am on the right path,” concluded Giovani.

Joel Aceves, Goal.com

For more coverage of the Mexican national team, visit Goal.com's Mexican football section.

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