Mexico manager Javier Aguirre spoke of his disappointment about the Mexican team's attitude in the game against Uruguay and said they failed to adapt to the oppositions plan to stop them.

"We lacked the initial attitude, to truly want to win the game and not just saying it in the changing rooms," Aguirre said at the post-match press conference. "We lacked the nous to read that Uruguay were pressuring us high up the field and to change the angle of attack."

Aguirre went on to say his instructions to get the defence to stop playing the ball patiently forward and instead play more directly failed to reach the players, especially in the first ten minutes when Uruguay's tactics became obvious.


And when questioned about the wisdom of starting with Guillermo Franco for the third straight game, Aguirre said: "Coaches always lose. The players are the ones that win. We came here to qualify for the second round and we have qualified. We will regroup, recuperate and wait for our rival on Sunday."

"If we play Argentina, it will be a beautiful opportunity for revenge for what happened four years ago," added Aguirre.

When it came to asking why Andres Guardado was taken off at half-time, Aguirre took full responsibility and said it was for tactical reasons.

"It's very difficult to please everyone," said Aguirre. "I only try to do what's best for the national team."

Nevertheless, there is widespread criticism already appearing in the Mexican press.


Ex national team player turned football pundit Carlos Albert called Aguirre "fatuous" and "stubborn" on ESPN's Futbol Picante.

Talking about the big "surprise" choice of Blanco and Franco upfront, Albert pulled no punches but sums up what many Mexicans on the street are thinking.

"Without doubt it was an error by the coaching staff. How is it possible that Aguirre starts with Cuauhtemoc Blanco, takes off Guardado (the team's best player in the first half) and stubbornly persists in starting with Franco when it was the chance to put in Javier Hernandez," steamed Albert.

The Record newspaper are also apparently running a piece tomorrow on how Aguirre should put faith in the younger players (see post below).

Aguirre did however set things up nicely for the Argentina game. Four years ago in Germany, Maxi Rodriguez scored an amazing goal in extra time to break Mexican hearts. This time around, Aguirre wants revenge.

"We will try to change the course of history and hope that on this ocassion the player to score a wonder goal is Mexican."