Vela fails to impress

By 1970’s Gooner

Since Sven Goran Erikkson was appointed coach of the Mexico national side he put his trust on the young shoulders of Carlos Vela and Giovanni Dos Santos to get the goals.

However during Erikkson’s six games in charge the youngsters did not manage to get on the scoring sheet.

The consensus in Mexico is that both players have fallen short of expectations.

In the game against Jamaica last Saturday Mexico lost by a single goal and both forwards played the full 90 minutes with the Tottenham player impressing less than Vela.

According to sportscaster and ex goalkeeper Raul Orvañanos, Dos Santos deserved to be benched for the next game against Canada as he was lacking in confidence.

“Dos Santos is not that good at the moment because even with Tottenham has had not so good performances. The English team already played seven games without a win in the Premier League” he said.

“Carlos Vela must play because he was far more confident that Giovani" he continued.

In fact Erikkson stuck to his guns and started with both players for Mexico’s next qualifying game, yesterday Wednesday (15.10.2008) against Canada in Edmonton.

Carlos Vela however failed to impress and in fact it was Dos Santos who gave the assist for the equalising goal.


The game ended in a draw and Mexico need only draw their next game against Honduras to proceed to the next phase of qualification for the World Cup where six teams will fight for three places.

Ali Gerba scored first for Canada in the 12th minute. Mexico, who could have advanced with a victory, equalised when Patrice Bernier deflected into his own net after a powerful shot by Salcido in the 34th minute.

The goal gave Mexico renewed hope and energy but three clear opportunities, falling to Luis Perez, Carlos Vela and Andres Guardado went begging.

You can watch the goals and Vela's miss on the video screen above (Vela appears on the video around the 5.20 minute)

It was from the counter attack after Guardalo’s miss that Canada put together a move from the right wing with Gerb sending a pass to Radzinski who had no trouble converting from inside the area in the 49th minute.

Mexico equalised in the 64th with naturalised Argentinean Vicente Matias Vuoso after Dos Santos crossed from the left. Vuoso rose above his marker to plant the header firmly into the net.

A minute later Vela was substituted and another forward from Spanish side Deportivo, Omar Bravo, was sent on to try and get the winner but to no avail.

Erikkson’s record reads; played six, won three, lost two and drawn one.


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