SAN DIEGO - The Mexican National Team achieved a confidence boosting win over Finland in San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium in their only preparation match before facing New Zealand in a last chance playoff to see who goes to the World Cup next year.

El Tri showed a lot of improvements from what was last seen from them in Costa Rica, despite the little time to work Miguel Herrera has planted his own system into the team with a brand new formation; one that seemed to give the team more mobility in the middle of the field. The adaptation process went through rather smoothly since Herrera was using seven of his Club America players in the starting eleven.

Mexico got an early lead off a set piece where Luis Montes sent in a cross to his club teammate Rafael Marquez to head into the goal. Carlos Peña doubled the lead with a quick one touch play up the middle and a good finish. Peña had a similar chance earlier in the game but had opted to pass the ball instead of shooting.

Finland broke their defensive shell after the second goal and managed to get a goal back before the halftime break when Mexico was unable to clear away a free kick sent into the box.

For the second half, El Tri once again benefited from an early goal as Oribe Peralta blasted the ball into the top corner to make the score 3-1. The joy would not last long as the Europeans once again cut the lead this time through an own goal from Juan Carlos Valenzuela after another goalkeeping mistake from Jesus Corona.

The young 20 year old Santos midfielder Jesus Escoboza who was making his senior side debut gave El Tri the two goal lead once again to settle the nerves in the air.

Mexico was able to see out the result with the confidence of the two goal lead. Miguel Herrera and his team will now analyze what the team is missing and if it is necessary to call in any European based players for the "do or die" matches against New Zealand.

Jonny.rico@sandiegored.com