Mexico vs Spain
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It will be the first time that the Spaniards will take on the field since playing 120 minutes of football against the Netherlands in the final of the 2010 FIFA World Cup where they eventually triumphed thanks to Andres Iniesta’s heroic strike four minutes from time. For the Mexicans, defeating Spain will mean a lot historically for the entire population in their 200th year of Spanish independence.
Javier Aguirre will not have the honor to guide El Tri to such a meaningful international friendly as he is no more in charge of Mexico’s national football team. Just like Italy, France or even South Africa, the Mexican FA have parted company with the man that led the country during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Enrique Meza is set to fill the role as coach for Mexico’s game against Spain only.
Meza has called upon Manchester United’s young sensation Javier Hernandez without omitting Giovani dos Santos’ brother Jonathan (who missed the 2010 World Cup). Veteran Cuauhtémoc Blanco will play no part in the Spain friendly because of club duties while new MLS player Rafael Marquez will reunite with his former team mates at Barcelona.
Talking about Barcelona players, seven of them have been included in Vicente del Bosque’s roster. As the Blaugrana will have to play the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Sevilla three days after the Mexico vs Spain friendly match, controversy has surrounded Vicente del Bosque’s man squad.
La Furia Roja are expected to use Wednesday’s match as a rehearsal ahead of their Euro 2012 qualifying match against Liechtenstein on September 3.
Mexico’s man squad:
Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa, Jesus Corona
Defenders: Paul Aguilar, Rafael Marquez, Leobardo Lopez, Francisco Rodrigue, Hector Moreno, Carlos Salcido, Fausto Pinto
Midfielders: Andres Guardado, Jonathan dos Santos, Efrain Juarez, Gerardo Torrado, Pablo Barrera,
Forwards: Enrique Esqueda, Carlos Vela, Elias Hernandez, Giovani dos Santos, Javier Hernandez
Spain’s man squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas, Victor Valdes
Defenders: Alvaro Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Joan Capdevila, Marchena, Nacho Monreal
Midfielders: Santi Cazorla, Jesus Navas, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez, David Silva, Juan Mata, Bruno Soriano
Forwards: David Villa, Fernando Llorente
