FIFA have announced that the referee for the opening game of the World Cup - Mexico v South Africa - will be 32-year-old Uzbeki Ravshan Irmatov, the youngest referee in the World Cup. Irmatov will be making his World Cup debut June 11.
The Mexican press was already rife with suggestions that home support could influence the officials.
The biggest game Irmatov has refereed in was the 2008 World Club Championship final between Manchester United and Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito de Ecuador.
FIFA, in their wisdom, decided against chosing a referee with a few years Champions League experience for what will be the game that will set the tone for the World Cup.
Would a little common sense in these matters be too much to ask?
The Mexican team have been dignified in their response, Jonny Magallon saying the team are concentrating on other things.
Nevertheless, a few facts must be of concern. Out of the 54 international games (mainly in Asia) that Irmatov has taken charge of, he's awarded the home team six penalties and the away team three. Irmatov has pulled the red card out of his pocket five times for players from the home side and ten times for the away team. That's a
2:1 ratio on both accounts.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Pundit's corner: Chicharito's dad
During a visit to the Guadalajara home of Chicharito's family, this blog got the views of Chicharito's dad and former Mexican international Javier 'Chicharo' Hernandez on Mexico's chances in the World Cup. More snippets from the Chicharito family will follow in the next few days.
Javier 'Chicharo' Hernandez:
How far will Mexico get?
They have a strong chance of getting to the Quarter Finals. If they pass through the first round, they’ll go far.
The first game is key. If they win the first game there’s some margin for error later.
What about exact scores?
For me, the results will be Mexico 3 – 1 South Africa, then Mexico 2 – 1 France with Giovani and Chicharito getting the goals and finally Mexico 1 – 1Uruguay. Chicharito will get three goals in the group stages, one in every game.
And how is Chicharito doing?
He’s well. He’s working hard and happier now the team is winning, especially after the last game (against Italy) following the defeats against Holland and England.
Javier 'Chicharo' Hernandez:How far will Mexico get?
They have a strong chance of getting to the Quarter Finals. If they pass through the first round, they’ll go far.
The first game is key. If they win the first game there’s some margin for error later.
What about exact scores?
For me, the results will be Mexico 3 – 1 South Africa, then Mexico 2 – 1 France with Giovani and Chicharito getting the goals and finally Mexico 1 – 1Uruguay. Chicharito will get three goals in the group stages, one in every game.
And how is Chicharito doing?
He’s well. He’s working hard and happier now the team is winning, especially after the last game (against Italy) following the defeats against Holland and England.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Aguirre says his beloved Mexico is no longer (BEEEEEP)
Polemic Mexico coach Javier Aguirre reopened the wounds of a few months ago following a TV advert in which he states, "I love Mexico." ((See it here))
It seems harmless and normal; the national team boss taking part in Initiative Mexico to promote the country's big Independence Bicentennial/Revolution Centennial celebrations.
But one can't help but think Aguirre isn't 100 percent sincere about predictions he makes that the "safe, just and prosperous" Mexico is possible.
It wasn't long ago in February that Aguirre was using distinctly different words to describe his country. A swear word beginning with 'F' was the one that stood out.
During an interview with a Spanish radio station, Aguirre inexplicitly lost all tact. Here are some of the quotes.
"How's Mexico doing?" asks the Spanish radio presenter.
"F(Beep)," replies Aguirre. "Really F(Beep)?" continues the presenter. "F(Beep), F(Beep)" unequivocally replies 'El Vasco,' as Aguirre is known.
"(Narcos - drug gang members) have permeated society, without doubt," explains Aguirre. "Twenty or 25 years ago when I was still playing football narco was there, but they sorted out their problems between themselves. Now if you walk in the street at ease, you don't know who'll hit you in the middle. Of course I'm known by people and respected but one never knows."
"It's like the Caceres (ex Argentina international shot in Argentina) and Cabañas (shot in the head in a Mexico City bar) who was known and liked ... I take my precautions, my older kids live in Madrid and I went with my wife and the little one and we've been there about a year."
He continued after being asked if a return to the Spanish La Liga was on the cards after the World Cup: "Yes, without doubt it's my first option, finish the World Cup and come directly here (Spain). If there is nothing here? We will see in England, Italy. I speak good English."
The son of Spanish migrants to Mexico, Aguirre's swinging back and forth has made him a less than popular figure in the Mexican media. Imagine if Fabio Capello or U.S. coach Bob Bradley had said something similar. They'd probably be out a job.
It seems harmless and normal; the national team boss taking part in Initiative Mexico to promote the country's big Independence Bicentennial/Revolution Centennial celebrations.
But one can't help but think Aguirre isn't 100 percent sincere about predictions he makes that the "safe, just and prosperous" Mexico is possible.
It wasn't long ago in February that Aguirre was using distinctly different words to describe his country. A swear word beginning with 'F' was the one that stood out.
During an interview with a Spanish radio station, Aguirre inexplicitly lost all tact. Here are some of the quotes.
"How's Mexico doing?" asks the Spanish radio presenter.
"F(Beep)," replies Aguirre. "Really F(Beep)?" continues the presenter. "F(Beep), F(Beep)" unequivocally replies 'El Vasco,' as Aguirre is known.
"(Narcos - drug gang members) have permeated society, without doubt," explains Aguirre. "Twenty or 25 years ago when I was still playing football narco was there, but they sorted out their problems between themselves. Now if you walk in the street at ease, you don't know who'll hit you in the middle. Of course I'm known by people and respected but one never knows."
"It's like the Caceres (ex Argentina international shot in Argentina) and Cabañas (shot in the head in a Mexico City bar) who was known and liked ... I take my precautions, my older kids live in Madrid and I went with my wife and the little one and we've been there about a year."
He continued after being asked if a return to the Spanish La Liga was on the cards after the World Cup: "Yes, without doubt it's my first option, finish the World Cup and come directly here (Spain). If there is nothing here? We will see in England, Italy. I speak good English."
The son of Spanish migrants to Mexico, Aguirre's swinging back and forth has made him a less than popular figure in the Mexican media. Imagine if Fabio Capello or U.S. coach Bob Bradley had said something similar. They'd probably be out a job.
Thursday, 3 June 2010
MEXICO 2 - 1 Italy
Mexico made the ears of the football world prick up Thursday with a 2-1 victory over current world champions Italy.
El Tri, playing in their all black 2nd strip, looked stronger, more cohesive and hungrier than the lacklustre Italians and fully deserved their win.
Indeed, the margin of victory could've been wider but for some shoddy finishing and the referee failing to spot a blatant penalty in Mexico's favour.
The only negative came with Italy's goal, again conceded from a set piece.
Perhaps more important than the result were the performances of key players Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who put through a beautiful through ball for Alberto 'Venado' Medina for Mexico's second.
Blanco had been on the end of quite a bit of stick in recent days, firstly for getting pictured smoking and secondly for his less than impressive displays over the last few weeks.
Vela scored Mexico's first goal and celebrated by doing a 'shhing' motion (see here), most likely aimed at Mexico's press that have been criticizing his recent performances. The Arsenal man at last looked like a player at ease with this level of international football and was one of Mexico's best players.
For Giovani, the game was the first since learning his brother Jonathan Dos Santos had been axed from the squad. Beforehand, there had even been suggestions Giovani was ready to leave the squad.
"He's very unmotivated, I think he was worse than me," Jonathan told the press in Barcelona just before the game kicked off. "He wanted to leave the squad. I talked to him and he's hurt. His future is being decided and he has to play in the World Cup. I know he will do very well and I wish him all the luck in the world."
The exquisite pass over the top for Vela's goal came as a timely reminder of how vital Giovani is for Mexico and what a loss it would be if he had decided to ditch the squad. Coach Javier Aguirre even said before the Italy game that this is Giovani's World Cup.
Most people in Mexico are in no doubt that if Mexico are to do well in South Africa, Giovani will be a central figure.
Line-up: 1 Óscar Pérez 2 Francisco Rodríguez 5 Ricardo Osorio 3 Carlos Salcido 4 Rafael Márquez 6 Gerardo Torrado 16 Efrain Juárez 11 Carlos Vela 14 Javier Hernandez
17 Giovani Dos Santos
Subs: Pablo Barrera for Rafael Márquez (45) Héctor Moreno for Francisco Rodríguez (69) Cuauhtémoc Blanco for Javier Hernandez (71) Israel Castro for Carlos Vela (83) Andres Guardado for Efrain Juárez (87)
El Tri, playing in their all black 2nd strip, looked stronger, more cohesive and hungrier than the lacklustre Italians and fully deserved their win.
Indeed, the margin of victory could've been wider but for some shoddy finishing and the referee failing to spot a blatant penalty in Mexico's favour.
The only negative came with Italy's goal, again conceded from a set piece.
Perhaps more important than the result were the performances of key players Carlos Vela, Giovani Dos Santos and Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who put through a beautiful through ball for Alberto 'Venado' Medina for Mexico's second.
Blanco had been on the end of quite a bit of stick in recent days, firstly for getting pictured smoking and secondly for his less than impressive displays over the last few weeks.Vela scored Mexico's first goal and celebrated by doing a 'shhing' motion (see here), most likely aimed at Mexico's press that have been criticizing his recent performances. The Arsenal man at last looked like a player at ease with this level of international football and was one of Mexico's best players.
For Giovani, the game was the first since learning his brother Jonathan Dos Santos had been axed from the squad. Beforehand, there had even been suggestions Giovani was ready to leave the squad.
"He's very unmotivated, I think he was worse than me," Jonathan told the press in Barcelona just before the game kicked off. "He wanted to leave the squad. I talked to him and he's hurt. His future is being decided and he has to play in the World Cup. I know he will do very well and I wish him all the luck in the world."
The exquisite pass over the top for Vela's goal came as a timely reminder of how vital Giovani is for Mexico and what a loss it would be if he had decided to ditch the squad. Coach Javier Aguirre even said before the Italy game that this is Giovani's World Cup.
Most people in Mexico are in no doubt that if Mexico are to do well in South Africa, Giovani will be a central figure.
Line-up: 1 Óscar Pérez 2 Francisco Rodríguez 5 Ricardo Osorio 3 Carlos Salcido 4 Rafael Márquez 6 Gerardo Torrado 16 Efrain Juárez 11 Carlos Vela 14 Javier Hernandez
17 Giovani Dos Santos
Subs: Pablo Barrera for Rafael Márquez (45) Héctor Moreno for Francisco Rodríguez (69) Cuauhtémoc Blanco for Javier Hernandez (71) Israel Castro for Carlos Vela (83) Andres Guardado for Efrain Juárez (87)
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