Mexico v Paraguay
Mexico are traditionally very strong in these team competitions and arrived here with high hopes, the squad contains six of the U17 squad which won the World Cup in 2011, winning all seven matches and scoring at least two goals in every match, beating France, Germany and Uruguay through the latter knockout stages. Four of those players started in the opener here against Greece and Arturo Gonzalez saw action from off the bench, Jonathan (Jorge) Espericueta won the Silver Ball at the U17 tournament, as runner up in the outstanding player award (actually, Mexico took all three top places) and looks to have progressed. He caused the Greeks a lot of problems and scored a stunning free kick, but it was not enough to stop the European side from recording something of a smash and grab 2-1 win. Mexico had dominated possession ( 60% ... it seemed more) and had 20 attempts on goal, with ten of those on target, in Espericueta and Jesus Corona they had the two top quality players on the pitch and on another night might have scored four, Corona, Briseno and Bueno, all missed "open" goals. If they have as many opportunities today, this can only go one way and I expect a very focused showing from El Tri, this is a talented squad and would run the risk of an early and shamefaced trip home should they fail to claim maximum points.
Paraguay opened with a 1-1 draw against Mali, a match where they allowed the African side too many sights of goal, they arrived with a good reputation after finishing runner up in the South American Youth Championship, but they looked inferior to both Colombia and Chile to me there and have developed a very nasty habit of falling behind in games, that happened in six of their nine matches in the CONMEBOL event and also against Mali. There are only so many times you can do that and whilst it says plenty about their spirit, I do not think this hungry Mexican team will easily give up the points, if they edge in front this evening.
I have the feeling the Mexicans might turn it on, so will opt to give up the bigger handicap.
Mexico -0.75
Mexico are traditionally very strong in these team competitions and arrived here with high hopes, the squad contains six of the U17 squad which won the World Cup in 2011, winning all seven matches and scoring at least two goals in every match, beating France, Germany and Uruguay through the latter knockout stages. Four of those players started in the opener here against Greece and Arturo Gonzalez saw action from off the bench, Jonathan (Jorge) Espericueta won the Silver Ball at the U17 tournament, as runner up in the outstanding player award (actually, Mexico took all three top places) and looks to have progressed. He caused the Greeks a lot of problems and scored a stunning free kick, but it was not enough to stop the European side from recording something of a smash and grab 2-1 win. Mexico had dominated possession ( 60% ... it seemed more) and had 20 attempts on goal, with ten of those on target, in Espericueta and Jesus Corona they had the two top quality players on the pitch and on another night might have scored four, Corona, Briseno and Bueno, all missed "open" goals. If they have as many opportunities today, this can only go one way and I expect a very focused showing from El Tri, this is a talented squad and would run the risk of an early and shamefaced trip home should they fail to claim maximum points.
Paraguay opened with a 1-1 draw against Mali, a match where they allowed the African side too many sights of goal, they arrived with a good reputation after finishing runner up in the South American Youth Championship, but they looked inferior to both Colombia and Chile to me there and have developed a very nasty habit of falling behind in games, that happened in six of their nine matches in the CONMEBOL event and also against Mali. There are only so many times you can do that and whilst it says plenty about their spirit, I do not think this hungry Mexican team will easily give up the points, if they edge in front this evening.
I have the feeling the Mexicans might turn it on, so will opt to give up the bigger handicap.
Mexico -0.75