Jonathan Dos Santos out of squad, Giovani upset

Twenty-year-old Barcelona midfielder Jonathan Dos Santos is the odd man out as coach Javier Aguirre cut the squad from 24 to 23 today (see below for full squad).

Jonathan's father, Brazilian ex-Monterrey player Zizinho, slammed the Mexican football federation and said Aguirre had "no balls."

Director of Football, Nestor De la Torre told the press of the decision.

Stated Zizinho: "We don't do what Brazil and Argentina do. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo were on the bench for their first World Cup and look what they achieved after."

Continued Zizinho: "The shirt of Mexico doesn't serve anything ... Why is Giovani (Jonathan's brother) there? Mexican football is dirty (corrupt). I don't know what there is inside."

"My son should never again put on the shirt of Mexico. For me it's trash. I respect Giovani for being there but Jonathan should wear the shirt of Brazil or Spain, there they'll respect him.

Zizinho's main grudge appears to be that Aguirre had visited Jonathan in Barcelona and heaped praise on him as the future of Mexican football.

Zizinho also says Giovani is "gutted" that his brother won't be with him in South Africa: "He doesn't want to play in the World Cup. He wanted me to come to Germany to get him. He's destroyed."

"You think Giovani will perform at the World Cup," added Zizinho. "Both of them called me crying."

The news of the state of Giovani's mind is potentially the most damaging part of what Zizinho said. Giovani is key to Mexico's chances in South Africa.

Mexico's squad, in full: Oscar Perez (Chiapas), Guillermo Ochoa (America), Luis Ernesto Michel (Guadalajara); Rafael Marquez (Barcelona), Ricardo Osorio (Stuttgart), Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido (both PSV Eindhoven), Hector Moreno (AZ Alkmaar), Paul Aguilar (Pachuca), Efrain Juarez (Pumas UNAM), Jonny Magallon (Guadalajara), Jorge Torres Nilo (Atlas); Andres Guardado (Deportivo La Coruna), Gerardo Torrado (Cruz Azul), Israel Castro (Pumas UNAM), Giovani dos Santos (Galatasaray, on loan from Tottenham); Pablo Barrera (Pumas UNAM), Adolfo Bautista, Alberto Medina (both Guadalajara), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Veracruz), Carlos Vela (Arsenal), Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Guillermo Franco (West Ham).

Mexico 5 -1 Gambia - Goals, not sandwiches

On billboards, in TV adverts, in the newspaper and on the radio. Various prominent members of the Mexico squad have been encouraging Mexicans to "make sandwiches" in a marketing blitz by bread manufacturer Bimbo (see video below).

After a dry patch in front of goal that saw Mexico score just five in the last six friendlies against mainly inferior opposition, a group was started on Facebook which now has almost 100,000 members. The message: Make goals, not sandwiches pendejos!

Against a Gambia team ranked 93 in the world, Mexico finally did that; Chicharito buttering the bread (twice), 'Bofo' Bautista adding two fillings and Alberto 'Venado' Medina cutting it into little pieces like your mum used to.

(Apologises for the sandwich analogy)

Worringly, Gambia's goal came from a corner and Mexico still look vulnerable defending balls hoisted into the box.

Aside from a couple of nasty challenges by the Gambians (??), it was a stroll in the park for Mexico, with Gambia only showing glimpses of quality.

Luis Michel was given the nod in goal and did what he had to do competently. Against South Africa in the opening game of the World Cup, most Mexican pundits are saying it is a straight race between the other challengers for the no. 1 jersey: Guillermo Ochoa and the experienced Oscar 'Conejo' Perez.

Jonathan Dos Santos was given his chance to impress in midfield but was largely anonymous and he now becomes one of the favourites to be sent home (Mexico has 24 players currently in the squad and one still has to be axed).

The position of Rafa Marquez still seems to be up in the air for coach Javier Aguirre who alternated him today between a defensive midfield and centre back role.

Indeed the Mexican formation is still to be set in stone, with Aguirre flirting with the idea of playing three at the back.

Chicharito, who got his British work permit approved ahead of his move to Manchester United this week, played well, looked sharp and scored two poacher's goals. 'The little pea' seems to be gaining confidence at the right time before South Africa.

Arsenal's Carlos Vela, who one opinion piece writer berated for smiling when he fails to score, again failed to score despite a handful of half-chances. And he smiled.

Mexico did what was expected in the end despite blowing a few opportunities in front of goal.

The Facebookers and Twitterers may well be a little bit quieter in the next few days, at least until Mexico play Italy on Thursday.

The BIMBO bread advert can be seen here: http://bit.ly/9Zm9oV - don't know why it won't upload.

100 votes in ...

... and readers of this blog say Mexico will get to the Quarter Finals, at least according to 32 percent of voters in the poll "How far will Mexico get in the World Cup?"

Surprisingly, the second most popular option was Mexico to win the whole thing, a reflection, perhaps, of a partisan readership.

Not being one to quash dreams but according to www.oddschecker.com Mexico are between 60/1 and 100/1 in lift the trophy on July 11. A Mexico victory would be the most remarkable in the history of the competition.

The other votes were spread quite evenly between the group stage, round of 16, semi-final and final.

I think most that voted for World Champions would secretly be happy with a Quarter Final finish.

Thanks for voting.

Att: Mexico fans and press

Yes, yes, we know it's the World Cup and it's exciting and everyone wants the best possible Mexican team to support.

But, instead of pulling your hair out about how manager Javier Aguirre probably still doesn't know his starting XI against South Africa and might not even have defined the formation, let's have a bit of perspective.

England, Germany, Italy, France and most the traditional "grandes" have their own selection problems which are just as serious as Mexico's, discounting Spain.

You can't mould the team, transfer players and pump millions of dollars/pounds/pesos into quick fixes at national team level and that's the beauty of it. Twenty-three Mexicans, many from less than affluent backgrounds, together in South Africa led by a very good Mexican manager in the greatest sporting event on earth.

In the wake of swine flu, the economic crisis, the battles between drug cartels going on and the general negativity that is Mexico in the international press, the World Cup promises to be Mexico's most positive news event in some time.

Enjoy it while it lasts!