PAPARAZZI BLOG

The unspoken proviso presumably when Mexico make their habitual appearances at the Copa America is 'come along by all means as long as you do not run off with our best silver'. But it could happen this year judging from Mexico's form in their first two group games here in the east of Venezuela.

The trouble with South America is that it consists of only 10 unwieldy senior football-playing nations, which explains why Mexico and the United States have been invited along since 1993 to raise the entry to 12 teams, still four short of perfect, but just about practical. The Conmebol Federation probably considered that neither of their guests had the clout to actually win the thing but they were almost mistaken when Mexico reached the final at their first attempt - in Ecuador - only to lose to Argentina. El Tri repeated the feat at the much devalued 2001 event in Colombia, losing this time to the hosts who had failed to prevent some top players and nations from withdrawing amid major security worries.

The only fears today when Mexico take the field in the oil-rich city of Maturin for their quarter-final against Paraguay is whether the lethargy that slowed them almost to a halt on Wednesday has left any lasting effects. With both Mexico and Chile requiring a point from their last Group B game here -Mexico so as to finish top of the group, Chile to ensure qualification for the last eight - the outcome was, surprise, surprise, a wretched goalless draw.
Hugo Sanchez, the newly appointed Mexico coach, who was once his country's idol on the pitch, had made nine changes against Chile, omitting luminaries such as Oswaldo Sanchez, his highly rated goalkeeper, central defender Rafael Marquez and nippy striker Nery Castillo, who had contributed to his side's opening two victories with goals against both Brazil and Ecuador. All three seem certain to return today.

Mexico lost to Paraguay in a pre-Copa friendly but Sanchez will be expecting further confirmation for his conviction that Mexico have flourished from rubbing shoulders with their Conmebol rivals. Whether they will be invited back again should they capture the Copa a week today in Maracaibo is another matter, but their army of green-shirted supporters will be disappointed by anything less than the sight of their team heading towards a fifth semi-final.
Argentina face Peru at Barquisimeto.in today's other quarter-final.

News at Goal.com