World Cup: Mexico Undeservedly Still Have A Chance To Qualify

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico had done everything to keep themselves from playing in a playoff for a World Cup bid against New Zealand with during the final Hexagonal round of CONCACAF 2014 World Cup Qualifying. They found themselves minutes from being eliminated as they were losing 2-1 to Costa Rica, and clearly not showing any will or fight in order to try and get the necessary equalizer to keep their 2014 World Cup dreams alive.

To paraphrase a quote ESPN Deportes personality Rafael Ramos Villagrana, while Mexico were virtually being condemned to sporting death in San Jose it was then resuscitated in Panama City as their eternal rival, the United States, beat Panama 3-2. As a result of that result, Mexico will take on New Zealand in the two-legged playoff on November 13 or 14 and November 20 for a spot in next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.

The truth is that Mexico do not deserve the chance to still be able to qualify through the playoff, given that what they have shown in 2013 has been nothing short of a fracaso.

First and foremost, the individual players themselves have not played to the standards and expectations of what is required and expected of those who play for “El Tri”. Looking at the game against Costa Rica, the only players who showed any real all-out effort and responsibility to try and win were Guillermo Ochoa, Carlos Pena and Oribe Peralta.

Outside of those three, serious questions need to be asked of everyone else given that it appeared they were unwilling or incapable of doing what was necessary to save their World Cup qualification chance.

The coaching this year has left a lot to be desired as well. It would be somewhat unfair to place much blame on Victor Manuel Vucetich given he’s been in charge for only two games, but that said, his decisions have compounded those by Jose Manuel De La Torre to lead Mexican National Team to being the fracaso it has been in 2013.

In addition, National Team coordinator Hector Gonzalez Inarritu and federation President Justino Compean are not without blame for how they have let things spiral and reach this point.

The Mexican public deserve better from the national team in 2013 the country is easily one of the top 5-10 most passionate and dedicated fan bases in the world. Still, I’m sure that my fellow Mexicanos and Mexicanas, can recognize that Mexico do not deserve to be in a playoff for one last chance to qualify for the World Cup, even though that is the case.

Lucas Carreras is a contributing Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow Lucas on Twitter by following him @maldini3fan and you can add him to your network on Google.