- July, 05 2009 -
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OAKLAND - A penalty by Luis Noriega late in the first half and a second-half strike by Pablo Barrera helped Mexico to a 2-0 win against Nicaragua in both teams' Gold Cup opening match Sunday.
Noriega and Barrera's goals saved three points for Mexico against a Nicaraguan team making its Gold Cup debut and its first appearance in a major international competition.
Mexico, which played most of the match without striker Carlos Vela, came in as a heavy favorite.
Coach Javier "El Vasco" Aguirre's squad is seeking its fifth Gold Cup title and is trying to restore some credibility in the region after several losses to Central American opponents in World Cup qualifying.
El Tri will take the win to move atop the Group C standings with Guadeloupe, which beat Panama 2-1 in the early match of a doubleheader.
"I'm satisfied," Aguirre said. "We wanted to win and we did. We got the three points. Our obligation is to add up points and get to the next round. But I do recognize that there things to improve on."
Vela left the game in the 10th minute, limping off the field with a lower right leg injury.
He was carried off the field by two trainers at halftime. He wrapped his arms around their shoulders off both trainers trying to keep pressure of his right leg. The injured was in some sort of wrap.
Chivas de Guadalajara striker Alberto Medina replaced Vela and was key in setting up Barrera's goal.
Sunday's match was Vela's return after sitting out Mexico's last match, a scoreless draw in a friendly against Guatemala in San Diego.
Noriega converted the penalty kick a minute into injury time. He sent his shot from the penalty spot to the left of Nicaragua goalkeeper Carlos Mendieta.
Noriega's score was set up when Nicaragua's Armando Reyes was whistled for a foul by referee Paul Ward in the 44th minute.
Reyes attempted a tackle from behind on Mexico's Israel Martinez inside the penalty area but didn't appear to make heavy contact with Martinez.
Noriega's score helped send an Oakland-Alameda Coliseum crowd of mostly Mexico fans erupt into cheers as they watched their team head into halftime with the lead.
Nicaragua held to its game plan for most of the first half: defend and look to counter. It worked for more than 45 minutes, until Noriega's penalty.
For Nicaragua, it was a bitter sweat outing. They were the underdogs. Mexico was supposed to dominate.
Nicaragua coach Otoniel Olivas was not happy with the defeat but kept his optimism for the rest of the tournament.
"We're the Cinderella of this cup," Olivas said. "We're talking about facing a team that plays at a greater soccer level. The important thing is that people in Nicaragua are beginning to see that our soccer deserves respect. The result can only help us grow."
Barrera, who replaced Martinez to start the second half, added his goal by tapping in a volleyed pass from right to left by Medina in the 86th minute to seal the match.
Mexico controlled possession in the first half and out-shot Nicaragua 9-1. Nicaragua's only shot came in the second minute and it almost caught Mexico off guard.
Armando Collado blasted a free kick from 40 yards to the right of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, who had to make a saving dive.
El Tri continued to spread the ball in the second half, creating a few more chances at goal. Nicaragua continued to defend.
"They defended well," Mexican midfielder Giovani dos Santos said. "They put 10 men in the box. Anytime that happens, it takes away space and it can make things complicated for you."
Dos Santos sent a header just wide right off a Medina floating centered pass from the right flank into the penalty area in the 54th minute.
Medina and dos Santos created another shot on goal in similar fashion in the 66th minute, but this time a Nicaraguan defender deflected dos Santos' shot.
Barrera sent a shot from the top of the penalty area with a clean look at goal. But Mendieta held his position to make the save.
"I think it's a good win," Dos Santos said. "I think there are things we can improve on. It's the start of the Gold Cup but this win gives us confidence to move forward."
Source: goldcup.org
