Mexico coach Javier Aguirre answers critics by advancing

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco — Before the World Cup, critics and fans of the Mexican national team were debating whether it was the right decision for Javier Aguirre to serve as head coach for the third time. Two matches later, the coach led Mexico to the knockout round of the tournament.

Thursday’s 1-0 victory over South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium became the first team to host the World Cup and emerge prominent in the tournament, clinching top spot in Group A with one group game remaining. After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled the ball, Luis Romo scored the goal that gave the Mexicans six points, sending them to the top of the standings.

El Tri will complete the first round against the Czech Republic at Azteca Stadium on Wednesday (18.00).

In his post-match press conference, Aguirre talked less about the result and more about the journey that led him to this moment. The 67-year-old, who has coached Mexico in three World Cups, said his experience allowed him to approach a match he described as highly tactical.

“I always tried to make my team play well and help the players and the national team improve,” Aguirre said.

For the manager, advancing to the knockout round represents the culmination of more than three decades of work on the sidelines and the support of a group of players who rose to the occasion under the most challenging conditions.

The coach also admitted that advancing to the next round had eased tensions in the team after doubts existed ahead of the World Cup. He noted that football tends to make decisions based solely on the latest results, without mentioning personal justification.

“If you win, you’re the best, if you lose, you’re the worst,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said he remained calm as he believed his approach to coaching had not changed and that the team was rewarded against South Korea on Thursday night in a match played with limited space and a high degree of tactical discipline.

With qualification secured, Aguirre said he would not change his football philosophy in Mexico’s final group stage match, despite not facing the pressure of securing a place in the next round.

He said the Czech Republic will enter the game with a different need to compete and drive to improve, while Mexico will look to maintain the high level of performance that allowed them to record two wins in a row and keep two clean sheets at the start of the tournament.

On the South Korean side, coach Hong Myung-bo refrained from making excuses and focused his analysis on the play that determined the outcome of the match. Although he revealed that he had not yet studied the goal line in detail, he knew that the team had made a series of small mistakes in an area where he had previously warned that losing possession could be decisive.

Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel blocks a shot from South Korea’s Son Heung-min during Thursday’s World Cup match.

(Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)

The coach said one of the main focuses of their preparations was avoiding turnovers near South Korea’s penalty area in the face of intense pressure from Mexico.

Myung-bo said that during the pre-match speech he emphasized that the first 20 minutes were very important and he believed that his players implemented this part of the plan. He said that as the minutes ticked by, South Korea managed to create opportunities and gained strength until the crucial turnover.

“After the momentum of the match shifted in our favor… we managed to create many opportunities, both in terms of general pressure and the game itself,” Myung-bo said. “Although it was a very frustrating game and the turnovers we lost left a bitter taste in our mouth, we don’t have time to dwell on it. We have one last game before us, so we will prepare well.”