Mexico boss says they ‘must break’ 94-year World Cup curse against South Africa
Javier Aguirre is battling history in Mexico’s World Cup opener (Picture: Getty Images)
Mexico play on the opening day of a World Cup for the eighth time on Thursday night and they are still looking to raise the curtain for the tournament with a win.
One of the three host nations this year, alongside USA and Canada, Mexico are hopeful of a strong showing in front of their own fans.
El Tri have a long World Cup record, playing in the very first edition of the tournament in 1930.
They played on the opening day of that tournament in Uruguay, losing 4-1 to France in Montevideo.
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That was the first of seven opening day disappointments they have suffered at the World Cup, losing five of those games and drawing two.
Most recently they played the opening game of the tournament, in South Africa against the host nation in 2010.
That game was memorable for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s brilliant opener, thrilling the home crowd in Johannesburg, although it was cancelled out by a Rafael Marquez equaliser and the game finished 1-1.
Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a memorable opener at the 2010 World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)
It is a rematch between those two teams at the Azteca in Mexico City on Thursday night and manager Javier Aguirre is now aware of the history his team are battling against.
‘We must break that trend,’ Aguirre said of their opening day struggles.
‘I did not know about that, but I’ll mention it to the guys. It’s a good reason to tell them we need to go out there and win the match. Let’s hope we break that trend tomorrow.’
Aguirre has 147-cap international Rafael Marquez as his assistant (Picture: Getty Images)
The 67-year-old is in his third stint as Mexico manager, having won 59 caps for his country and played in the 1986 World Cup on home soil.
Mexico didn’t play on the opening day of that tournament but did top their group and progress to the quarter-finals, losing to West Germany on penalties.
‘It could be a great day for us; come what may, it will be a celebration that endures for decades,’ he said of this year’s event.
‘I hope we get off on the right foot, just as we did back then. The players know it: tomorrow could be a historic day for many of them, as it is unlikely these guys will ever experience a World Cup on home soil again.’
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