GROUP G / MEXICO

*--* World Cup record: Played 37 (8-21-8); goals for: 39; goals against: 75 Best finish: Quarterfinalist in 1970, 1986 1998 showing: Eliminated by Germany in second round Coach: Javier Aguirre. Salvaged Mexico’s qualification campaign by replacing Enrique Meza in June and going 4-0-1 down the stretch. Has sacrificed traditional Mexican flair for a more tactical approach Players to watch: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Francisco Palencia, Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado In brief: The midfield lacks a true playmaker, reducing strategy to the essentials of defending and getting the ball to Blanco and Palencia. That might succeed against CONCACAF rivals, but Italy and Croatia are another matter Quick quote: “The ultimate goal is to do better in the World Cup than any of the previous Mexican teams.”--Aguirre Forecast: Those are the semifinals Aguirre’s talking about. That’s the pipe dream. Here’s the reality: Mexico will be hard-pressed to reach the second round

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