Mexico Beats Behind Carlos Vela Italy In Final World Cup Tuneup

If the Italian national team is going to defend their World Cup title from four years ago, they will have to play much better than they did on Thursday. In their final tuneup, Italy lost to Mexico 2-1.

The Mexican squad will go into the World Cup with momentum and confidence on their side. Carlos Vela scored a goal early on in the match, and played splendidly throughout. Vela also would have had an assist had Javier Hernandez been able to finish on a well timed centering pass from Vela.

It was expected that Italy would have made quick work of Mexico in this match, but surprisingly to most soccer fans, Mexico played brilliantly while Italy struggled to get anything going on the offensive side. Mexico scored both of their goals in the first ten minutes and then held on the rest of the way.

"I know my players, I have spoken to them and they told me they were tired before the game," said Italian Coach Marcello Lippi, using the altitude training his team has been enduring as a possible reason for the lethargic play, "What's important is to be in good condition in 10 days when we are in South Africa, not now. If we had played seven games like they (Mexico) did, then we would have been in better condition."

Italy was not at full strength, missing some key pieces to what will be their World Cup squad. Mauro Camoranesi and Giorgio Chiellini both missed the game due to injury. Italy's defense did not play up to their capabilities, and their offense that was supposed to be resurgent, was missing in action.

Mexico enjoyed the win, but coach Javier Aguirre cautioned for fans and analysts to not read too much into the match. Aguirre understands that if the teams should meet in the World Cup, the outcome could be much different with higher stakes on the line.

June 3, 2010
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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