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World Cup: Javier Aguirre - Rafael Marquez Will Captain Mexico Against France
The Barcelona man will wear the armband.
Jun 16, 2010 9:19:00 PM
By Andrea Martinez
Mexico will face France at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane Thursday for their second group game in the 2010 World Cup. For that match, Rafael Marquez will take over as captain for the game, coach Javier Aguirre revealed in a press conference.
Mexican manager Aguirre confirmed that the Barcelona player would retake the captain's arm band from Gerardo Torrado for the game against France. Marquez scored Mexico's lone goal and equalizer in the 1-1 draw against South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup.
"Tomorrow the captain will be Rafael Marquez," said Aguirre to the press Tuesday.
"Against El Salvador I told [Cuauhtemoc] Blanco and [Rafael] Marquez, there are three captains and I'm going to decide who will have the armband. This doesn’t come from a coin toss, it comes from work, handle of the team, and being a link between the players and manager."
Aguirre also spoke about some of the processes that the team had worked through in hopes to win against France. In the game against South Africa, Mexico had the majority of possession but could not put the ball in the back of the net.
"I dedicated this week to talk to 'Venado' [Alberto Medina], [Carlos] Vela, 'Gio' [Dos Santos], 'Chicharito' [Javier Hernandez], [Guillermo] Franco, and Blanco this week, these three days. Switzerland had two opportunities and scored Korea had two and scored one; that's how it is in the big leagues," Aguirre said.
The team is prepared to face the next opponent and is once against physically and mentally ready.
"I'm under the impression that these last four days we have cleansed ourselves from the bad second half that gave that bitter taste. Today we're on the same page that we had against South Africa. We are hopeful and are strong mentally and physically."
Weather reports indicate that night games, like the one against France, will be played in zero degree Celsius temperatures, but Aguirre says that the only thing that would affect the team would be rain.
"The players cover up, we're healthy, the 23 players are strong. Neither the temperature or the altitude can be used as an excuse. Rain has fortunately not appeared, but that affects more than the Mexican team, it affects any team because of the speed of the ball. We're good with this climate, it's enjoyable to play football."
Aguirre also considers this World Cup edition to be very close between teams but his intentions with Mexico is to win the next game.
"That's how the World Cup is, it's very even and I would say that only Germany was superior to its rival. It's been a World Cup that I feel continues to be open. If Mexico wins tomorrow I don’t know if it’d be a surprise or not, but it's our intention," he said.
For all the latest Mexican news, visit Goal.com's Mexico's page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Mexican manager Aguirre confirmed that the Barcelona player would retake the captain's arm band from Gerardo Torrado for the game against France. Marquez scored Mexico's lone goal and equalizer in the 1-1 draw against South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup.
"Tomorrow the captain will be Rafael Marquez," said Aguirre to the press Tuesday.
"Against El Salvador I told [Cuauhtemoc] Blanco and [Rafael] Marquez, there are three captains and I'm going to decide who will have the armband. This doesn’t come from a coin toss, it comes from work, handle of the team, and being a link between the players and manager."
Aguirre also spoke about some of the processes that the team had worked through in hopes to win against France. In the game against South Africa, Mexico had the majority of possession but could not put the ball in the back of the net.
"I dedicated this week to talk to 'Venado' [Alberto Medina], [Carlos] Vela, 'Gio' [Dos Santos], 'Chicharito' [Javier Hernandez], [Guillermo] Franco, and Blanco this week, these three days. Switzerland had two opportunities and scored Korea had two and scored one; that's how it is in the big leagues," Aguirre said.
The team is prepared to face the next opponent and is once against physically and mentally ready.
"I'm under the impression that these last four days we have cleansed ourselves from the bad second half that gave that bitter taste. Today we're on the same page that we had against South Africa. We are hopeful and are strong mentally and physically."
Weather reports indicate that night games, like the one against France, will be played in zero degree Celsius temperatures, but Aguirre says that the only thing that would affect the team would be rain.
"The players cover up, we're healthy, the 23 players are strong. Neither the temperature or the altitude can be used as an excuse. Rain has fortunately not appeared, but that affects more than the Mexican team, it affects any team because of the speed of the ball. We're good with this climate, it's enjoyable to play football."
Aguirre also considers this World Cup edition to be very close between teams but his intentions with Mexico is to win the next game.
"That's how the World Cup is, it's very even and I would say that only Germany was superior to its rival. It's been a World Cup that I feel continues to be open. If Mexico wins tomorrow I don’t know if it’d be a surprise or not, but it's our intention," he said.
For all the latest Mexican news, visit Goal.com's Mexico's page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
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