- Title: MEXICO: Mexican soccer team trains ahead of friendly against New Zealand
- Date: 2nd March 2010
- Summary: MEXICAN FLAG FLAPPING IN WIND VARIOUS OF MEXICAN PLAYERS JOGGING COACH JAVIER AGUIRRE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS VARIOUS OF TRAINING SESSION CAMERAMEN PLAYERS WALKING INTO NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MIDFIELDER JONATHAN DOS SANTOS, SAYING: "I'm trying my best. Playing for Barcelona is not easy with players such as Xavi (midfielder Xavi Hernandez), Iniesta (midfielder Andres Iniesta), Toure (midfielder Yaya Toure), it's very difficult. I think they are the best midfielders in the world and it's very difficult to join that squad. It's due to them, if I'm unable to play and I'll try to play in the second team and do my best." GENERAL VIEW NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) DEFENDER, HECTOR MORENO, SAYING: "What it represents as I have always said, one wears Mexico's shirt with pride. This one (games before World Cup) is a way to stay in touch with the people, with the fans, just as we did during the knockout stage. The team hopes for support from the fans, which we have always had and the most important thing for the team is to win." VARIOUS OF COACHING STAFF TALKING TO PLAYERS PLAYERS JOGGING AGUIRRE GIVING INSTRUCTIONS PLAYERS LEAVING FIELD AFTER TRAINING
- Embargoed: 17th March 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mexico
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA3XG2CWZ9J37QPIZP4UDNP8UAG
- Story Text: Mexico's national soccer team began training on Monday (March 1) in Mexico City ahead of a friendly match against New Zealand next Wednesday (March 3) in Pasadena, California.
This will be Mexico's second game in the run up to the World Cup in South Africa 2010. It will also be an opportunity for the technical team to summon players from Europe and decide on a final squad to be announced at the end of March.
Young Barcelona midfielder, Jonathan Dos Santos, will want to impress Mexico's coaches as he hardly plays for the Spanish club's first team.
"I'm trying my best. Playing for Barcelona is not easy with players such as Xavi (midfielder Xavi Hernandez), Iniesta (midfielder Andres Iniesta), Toure (midfielder Yaya Toure), it's very difficult. I think they are the best midfielders in the world and it's very difficult to join that squad. It's due to them, if I'm unable to play and I'll try to play in the second team and do my best," said Dos Santos whose calling has been criticised by some local media given his age and little participation in the Spanish league.
Defender Hector Moreno, who plays with AZ Alkmaar, the champions of the Dutch soccer league said friendlies helped to improve the team's spirit and rally support from the fans.
"What it represents as I have always said, one wears Mexico's shirt with pride. This one (games before World Cup) is a way to stay in touch with the people, with the fans, just as we did during the knockout stage. The team hopes for support from the fans, which we have always had and the most important thing for the team is to win."
Mexico will travel to Los Angeles, California on Monday ahead of the game against New Zealand.
After Wednesday's friendly, Mexico will play another two games before the technical staff name the final squad called to play during the World Cup.
The final line-up will meet in mid-April where they will train and play preparation games in the run up to their World Cup inauguration game against South Africa on June 11. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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