ESPN presents reasons why Mexico will meet a tough opponent in the Gold Cup semifinals
The Mexican team has gone through a sea of storms since the beginning of its summer activity in the Concacaf Nations Leagueas well as for periods during gold Cupy Jamaicathe next rival in said fair, looks like a new litmus test for the Mexican team because it has become an uncomfortable rival thanks to the development it has had in recent years.
México vs. Jamaica. Concacaf Nations League. GettyImages
Jamaica and its seriousness in the Gold Cup
Contrary to USA y Canadateams with the luxury of competing in the Gold Cup with B teams, Jamaica summoned his best men to fight for his first international title and thus frame in gold the rising participation that the team has had in the tournament since 2015.
Jamaica has become an uncomfortable rival for both Mexico like the United States in recent years. Proof of the above is that the Caribbean team beat the ‘Stars and Stripes’ in the 2015 semifinals (1-2), although they lost the final with Tri 3-1.
Two years later, Jamaica He reaffirmed that he has shortened the gap with respect to the ‘giants’ of the area and advanced to the final at the expense of Mexico (0-1), although the outcome for their cause was similar, since they lost 2-1 against the United States.
In 2019, the so-called ‘Reggae Boyz’ made it to the semifinals, but were eliminated by the United States 3-1 and shared third place with Haiti.
In 2021, Jamaica suffered a premature elimination to their previous roles, as the United States was their rival in the quarterfinals and they beat them 1-0.
‘European’ template
In addition to the characteristic features of Jamaicasuch as speed, physical power and good passing game, this team is catalyzed by players with experience in European soccer and who stand out in championships such as the English Premier League.
In the first instance, the center forward Michael AntonioThe 33-year-old scored 14 goals last season in the league with West Ham and won the Conference League. At his sides he is accompanied by Demarai Gray23-year-old who plays for Everton and had options to defend the England team, although he decided on Jamaica, as well as Leon Bailey25 years old and in the current Aston Villa squad.
The defenders are also from the Premier League Dexter Lembikisa (Wolverhampton), Amari’i Bell (Luton Town FC), Rupert Pinnock (Brentford FC) and the midfielder joins Bobby Decordova Reid (Fulham FC).
Technical direction
To the competitive staff of Jamaica the experience of the Icelandic dentist is added Heimir Hallgrímssonwhose profession should not deceive the eye of the reader, since he is the coach who obtained the first ticket to a World Cup for his country.
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Hallgrímsson has little experience on the bench, having only managed a local team in his country (Vestmannæyjar), the national team of Iceland, Al-Arabi of Qatar and Jamaica, however, he obtained the direct ticket to Russia 2018 in the complicated tie UEFA, in a group also made up of Croatia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland and Kosovo.
In this Gold Cup, Jamaica has given notice of the good dumbbell between players and coach, with an outstanding game against the United States, which the rival tied at the last minute, as well as two wins against Trinidad and Tobago (4-1), Saint Kitts and Nevis (5-0 ) and the pass to the semifinals against Guatemala 1-0.
Mexico suffers against Jamaica
The last precedent between Mexico y Jamaica It goes back to the last day of the Concacaf Nations League, in a duel held on the pitch of the Azteca Stadium and in which the visit was twice ahead in electronic and the one forced to equalize was the Tri.
In that duel, Bobby Decordova-Reid surprised the Mexican net at 7′, Orbelín Pineda equalized ten minutes later, Edson Álvarez scored an own goal and Hirving Lozano saved the night at 45’+2 from the penalty spot.
Before the World Cup, Mexico They visited Kingstone on the fourth date of the Natios League and returned to their territory after rescuing a point with a tie at one goal.
That evening, Leon Bailey opened the action at 4′ and Luis Romo put the boat back together at 45’+3.
It is worth mentioning that the last occasion in which Mexico y Jamaica They met in the semifinals of the Gold Cup, in 2017, the Caribbean imposed conditions 1-0 thanks to a goal at 88′ by Michael Lawrence.
complicated scenario
Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a stage that has left a recent mark on the Mexican teambecause it is the venue where she suffered one of her most recent defeats, the painful semifinal of the Concacaf Nations League against the United States in which she was beaten and exhibited.
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With a brace from Christian Pulisic, a goal from Ricardo Pepi and no response from the bench, the debacle against the staunch rival fractured the relationship between the Mexican team and the fans, put an end to Diego Cocca’s brief cycle with the team and caused instability within , with which Jaime Lozano is currently dealing as an interim.
The balance of Jaime Lozano with the Mexican team It is three wins and one loss, waiting for what happens this Wednesday on the pitch of the same venue where his predecessor lost his position.
-With information from Sergio Domínguez Cardoso
2023-07-10 03:00:45
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