NEW YORK A completely different Mexico side was seen against the Ivory Coast, the players were not afraid of the pressure surrounding the team, the manager Jose Manuel "Chepo" de la Torre showed tactical awareness and was able to switch things up. But we need not celebrate yet, the real test will come September 6 and 10.
El Tri came out with a renovated version of itself, similar to when "Chepo" had barely taken over the job; with an aggressive formation, players who did not stand still and ran all over the field making their markers struggle on who to mark.
Only one minute of the game had gone by and Mexico was already threatening the African goal. New addition to the squad; Argentine born and Mexican naturalized player Christian "Chaco" Gimenez and Giovani Dos Santos combined well just outside the box. A play that would end with a Dos Santos shot that just graced the post on its way out.
Mexico's superiority would be reflected on the scoreboard in the 9th minute when Tijuana native Fernando Arce stole a ball in midfield and began the attack for Mexico. Center striker Oribe Peralta participated in the play as a post, prolonging the ball to Angel Reyna who was out wide on the left side. Reyna vut through a defender and played it back to Peralta inside the box, the Santos forward looked to play the ball across the box and Artur Boka ended up pushing the ball into his own goal.
Ivory Coast was far from reacting on the field to the early goal. Mexico seemed hungry and played with speed, freedom, and quick one touch passes.
In the 27th a huge mistake from Gosso who felt the Mexican pressure and tried to play the ball backwards, Oribe Peralta always aware pounced on the loose bal and beat the defender who was the target of the pass and shot the ball into the upper corner of the goal to make the score 2-0.
Right before halftime Mexico grabbed a third to make their dominance clear. Angel Reyna dribbled the ball giving a perfectly timed pass to Dos Santos who was overlapping him. Dos Santos one timed a cross into the front post where Oribe Peralta had beat his marker and headed in his second goal of the match.
For the second half Ivory Coast brought out its big weapons to try and even out the game. Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalu and the youngster Brice Dja were all brought into the game by the African side. But the Mexican team still out played them.
In the 54th minute the Gio-Reyna-Peralta combination was producing more danger on the Ivory Coast goal. Gio gave a pass to Reyna who was on the right side of the field. Reyna cut his defender twice inside the box and had a powerful low shot to the far post, the ball was going to go just wide so Peralta stuck out his foot and pushed into the goal. The goal was ruled off for an offside position on Peralta neglecting him of his 'Hat-Trick'.
It all seemed too perfect, but during a free kick just outside the box that Didier Drogba took Gerardo Torrado raised his arms to cover himself from the shot. The ball struck his elbow/arm and the referee awarded the penalty kick. Drogba himself took the PK and made the score 3-1.
In the 79th minute once again Drogba showed that his quality has not been affected by the years. He dribbled the ball to the end line and sent in a cross to Bi Zoro's head. Jesus Corona was forced to make the huge save on that ball that had goal written all over it.
Like it is costumed in these types of games multiple changes were made by both teams and between the substitutions, fouls, and adjustment periods the new players needed to get into the game; the match no longer had the same fluidity.
But amidst the carnival of changes and stoppages young Mexican central defender Diego Reyes who has been playing at an extraordinary level lately dribbled the ball down the field and sent in a cross to Angel Reyna who with calm and ease capped off a spectacular individual performance with a goal.
Now Mexico must put in this type of performance in the vital game against Honduras on September 6 in World Cup Qualifying. As well as four days later when they visit the USA also on the road to Brazil 2014.
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