HOUSTON – The Mexican men’s national team defeated Venezuela 3-1 at Reliant Stadium here Wednesday evening as they prepare to begin 2014 World Cup qualification matches later in the year. It took the final 21 minutes of the game for Mexico to show complete dominance over their South American rivals who put up a strong defense and even led the game at one point during the international friendly.
“They are a very organized team,” said Mexico head coach Jose Manuel De la Torre after the game. “They played hard and insisted on playing a fast game. In two plays they put themselves ahead. However, we insisted and made good plays, we got the result.”
While Mexico has a dominating record against Venezuela over the years with 8 wins, 2 draws and 0 losses, the last time the squads faced each other Venezuela managed to complicate things for el tri earning a draw.
The game was played on a non-FIFA date, which means the leagues around the world were not obligated to surrender their players for the match. The Mexican squad consisted of players from the domestic league, many who are trying for a position on the London 2012 Olympic qualification team.
Mexico began the game with strikes from the bands, moving in and proposing the conditions on the pitch. Javier Cortes of Pumas UNAM centered a ball to Santos player Oribe Peralta who missed contact with the ball for the closest shot Mexico had in the first half. After 45 minutes of play both squads went into the break with a 0-0.
A few minutes into the second half Edgar Greco broke away from his marker and put the Venezuelans up 1-0 on a corner kick. The vinotinto insisted during the game, but Mexico retook control of the field.
“We were good on defense,” said De la Torre. “It was just the one play where they scored on us. We have to be more detail oriented, that is obvious.”
Carlos Salcido of UANL Tigres would bring the crowd to a roar in the 69th minute of play with a shot from outside the penalty box. The former PSV Eindhoven defender sent a rocket that hit the lower angle of goalkeeper Leo Morales’ net to tie the game.
It appeared the game would end in a 1-1 draw when Mexico came alive. Monarcas Morelia striker Rafael Marquez-Lugo recovered a loose ball in front of Morales and sent it in to the net to give Mexico the lead.
The South American squad lost concentration and less than one minute later a defensive error left a ball at Peralta’s feet. Peralta positioned himself and took a shot with his left foot that made Morales dive, but unable to reach the sphere giving Mexico the 3-1 victory.
Venezuela arrived after a 1-0 loss to the U.S., while Mexico played its first game in 2012 and will face Colombia in February.
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