Mexico – Nigeria Finish Friendly Game in a Tie
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By Francisco Romero
With less than a 100 days to the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Mexico and Nigeria are still looking for players who will complete the roster that will travel to Brazil.
In a friendly match these two teams faced each other in Atlanta, Georgia. At the end of regulation neither one could score (0-0).
The first half belonged to Nigeria, as its players were faster, focused and more dominant. Both teams lacked the opportunities to score during the first :45 minutes of play. The second half belonged to Mexico. El Tri was able to create opportunities to score, but just as the Nigerians in the first half, they failed.
At the end, the game belonged to both goalkeepers. Vincent Enyeama from Nigeria and Gillermo Ochoa from Mexico were spectacular.
Ochoa’s spot in Mexico’s 23 men roster that will travel to the World Cup has been in doubt, but with the performance against Nigeria many believe he has earned his ticket to Brazil. Ochoa was superb and was able to stop 4 clear opportunities of goal for Nigeria.
After the game Ochoa mentioned that he is not worried about making the team or not, he is having fun playing and added that the team will be able to carry three quality goalkeepers in its roster.
Ochoa currently plays with AC Ajaccio of France.
Another player trying to have a spot in the final Mexican roster is Andres Guardado. A veteran of two world cups played well, not spectacular, but well enough to earn praise from Mexico’s head coach Miguel Herrera.
One of the disappointments of this game was Javier “El Chicharito” Hernandez; he was nowhere to be found. He only played during the first half of action. It was reported that he left the game with a knee injury. He will have further medical tests on Thursday.