Countdown to South Africa: Spotlight on Mexico

Mexico are in Group A at the World Cup and will play South Africa, France, and Uruguay. This is the Mexican squad which I believe has the best chance of success in South Africa.

First 11

GK. Guilermo Ochoa, Club- America (Mexico), Age at the World Cup (AWC) 24.

RB. Rafael Marquez, Club- Barcelona, (AWC) 31.

CB. Hector Moreno, Club- AZ Alkmaar, (AWC) 22.

CB. Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 28.

LB. Carlos Salcido, Club- PSV Eindhoven, (AWC) 30.

CDM. Pavel Pardo, Club- Club America (Mexico), (AWC) 33.

RW. Fernando Arce, Club- Santos Laguna (Mexico), (AWC) 30.

LW. Andres Guardado, Club- Deportivo La Coruna, (AWC) 23.

CAM. Giovani dos Santos, Club- Galatasaray, (AWC) 21.

ST. Guillermo Franco, Club- West Ham, (AWC) 33.

ST. Javier Hernandez, Club- Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico), (AWC) 22.

Subs

GK. Oscar Perez, Club- Chiapas (Mexico), (AWC) 37.

GK. Jose de Jesus Corona, Club- Cruz Azul (Mexico), (AWC) 29.

RB. Ricardo Osorio, Club- VFB Stuttgart, (AWC) 30.

CB. Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Club- Club America (Mexico), (AWC) 26.

CB. Jonny Magallon, Club- Chivas Guadalajara (Mexico), (AWC) 28.

LB. Jorge Torres Nilo, Club- Atlas (Mexico), (AWC) 22.

CM. Luis Noriega, Club- Puebla (Mexico), (AWC) 25.

RW. Braulio Luna, Club- San Luis (Mexico), (AWC) 35.

LM. Daniel Arreola, Club- Atlante (Mexico), (AWC) 24.

CAM. Nery Castillo, Club- FC Dnipro (Ukraine), (AWC) 25.

ST. Aldo De Nigris, Club- Monterrey (Mexico), (AWC) 26.

ST. Carlos Vela, Club- Arsenal, (AWC) 21.

The Coach

Mexico are coached by compatriot Javier Aguirre. Javier Aguirre was appointed as Mexican coach on the 3rd of April 2009. This is Aguirre second stint in charge of the Mexican national team having previously coached Mexico between 2001 and 2002 which included coaching Mexico at the 2002 World Cup. At club level Aguirre has been coach of Mexican sides Atlante and Pachuca and Spanish sides Osasuna and Atletico Madrid.

Mexico's strengths

Mexico's strength is in it's defence where it has a majority of it's players currently playing in various European leagues.

Mexico's weakness

Mexico is at it's weakest in the midfield with most of it's players currently playing in the Mexican Primera Division.