quote:
Mexico are pondering how to replace suspended key midfielder Jose Vazquez in Saturday's World Cup round of 16 clash against the Netherlands.
Santos, Brazil (dpa) - Mexico coach Miguel Herrera has three days to solve a difficult World Cup riddle: how to replace one of his key players, midfielder Jose Vazquez.
Herrera put out the same starting lineuup in Mexico's three Group A matches against Cameroon, Brazil and Croatia. But for Saturday's round of 16 clash against the Netherlands, he will have to get by without the influential Vazquez, who is suspended for one match after picking up a second yellow card in Monday's 3-1 defeat of Croatia.
This suspension is provoking a fierce debate because Vazquez - the defensive midfield anchorman - is the only player in the Mexico team who does not really have a 'natural replacement' on the subs' bench.
"This is a pity but this is part of football, and I am sure that whatever he (Herrera) does will be for the best. There are many players on our bench who would function well," Vazquez said Wednesday.
Vazquez established himself in the qualifying matches for the World Cup as one of Mexico's three most reliable players, along with Hector Herrera and Rafa Marquez.
Vazquez's strong physical condition, together with his energy, permit his midfield companions Herrera and Andres Guardado to constantly join the attack - as well as damaging the opponents' ability to construct moves.
"Without Vazquez, we lose an important part of our play. He gives us the balance that the team needs in order to attack comfortably and safely. The challenge will be to show that the team has the capacity to play well without him," said Guardado.
There are three alternatives to replace Vazquez: Carlos Salcido, Carlos Pena and Marco Fabian. Salcido has alternated between left-back and defensive midfield in recent years but, at the age of 34, it is doubtful whether he will be able to handle the rapid Dutch attacks - especially in Fortaleza, with a temperature above 30 degrees.
However, Salcido was utilized in defensive midfield at the 2012 Olympics and did fairly well against opponents who were on average 10 years younger than him. The second option is to take Guardado away from the left wing and put him just in front of defence, as happened in the first warm-up match before the World Cup against Israel.
If Guardado's position is changed, then Marco Fabian would be brought in down the left.
The final option is the inclusion of Pena, a much more technical and offensive player than Vazquez. The only downside to picking Pena is his psychological condition
The 24-year-old midfielder reportedly suffered a profound depression when his close friend Luis Montes missed the World Cup at the last minute because of a badly broken leg. "If Herrera has not fielded me yet it must be because he sees something wrong, but I am ready to help the cause.
It's true that Montes' injury did affect me but I have managed to leave that behind now," said Pena.
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donderdag 9 mei 2013 16:42 schreef
tong80 het volgende:
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