Head coach Juan Carlos Osorio (far left) and midfielder Hector Herrera have helped Mexico to the top of the table in final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Photo: Victor Straffon/StraffonImages)
LOS ANGELES – While a 2-1 loss to Croatia in an international friendly on Saturday was not a cause for overreaction, Mexico is using the result and performance as reasons for review, especially with the resumption of World Cup Qualifying quickly approaching.
The Tricolor currently sits atop the CONCACAF Hexagonal unbeaten at 3W-1D-0L. With matches next month against fifth-place Honduras (June 8, home) and the fourth-place United States (June 11, home), it wants to be ready, knowing that two more wins would ease the burden of booking a place at Russia 2018.
“We have to improve and for these type of qualifying matches against Honduras and the United States it is fundamental to be efficient,” said Mexico head coach Juan Carlos Osorio. “The Catrachos have very fast players, while the North Americans possess a series of strengths at the defensive level.”
Midfielder Hector Herrera, who played the full 90 minutes in the Croatia setback, is maintaining perspective.
“We know that we cannot commit the errors we had against Croatia,” said the 27-year-old Porto standout. “There were also good things and that is important. In the end, the friendly matches are to improve things and go in as best as possible into the decisive matches.”
The preparation continues on Thursday with another warm-up match against Ireland at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.
