Mexico head coach Mario Arteaga (pictured) is looking to win the 2015 CONCACAF Under-17 Championship and qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup. (Photo: Mexsport

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Regardless of the CONCACAF competition in which it participates, Mexico’s objectives are always the same: win the title and qualify for a FIFA World Cup. 

The Tricolor’s goals at the currently contested CONCACAF Under-17 Championship (CU17) can be partially realized on Thursday, when Group B play concludes at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano. 

Through the most straightforward scenario, the defending CU17 champion will secure a ticket to the 2015 FIFA World Cup -- and a place in the final -- with a win over Costa Rica and a Canada loss or tie against Panama. 

With a pair of U-17 World Cup crowns (2005, 2011) already in its possession, expectations placed on Mexico to succeed continually never subside.  According to current head coach Mario Arteaga, however, each version of the U-17 team must make its own imprint.

"Although you want to assign pressure because those past achievements…each team, each generation is different,” said Arteaga.  “Those teams made their own history and this group is looking to write its own.  Simply by wearing the national team jersey, you have a strong commitment because Mexico has been a contender in the last Under-17 and Under-20 World Cups.” 

This year, the CU17’s format was transformed to produce a more challenging event, while encouraging development.  In the 2011 edition, each of the 12 qualifiers were placed into four teams of three groups each. That structure meant a team could be eliminated after playing only two games.  For 2013, the participants were drawn into two groups of six, giving each side a minimum of five games. 

Arteaga fully endorsed the new structure, believing that it provides an opportunity for teams to grow as the event progresses.

"It's a better format,” remarked the 44-year-old, who played for Mexico in the 1992 Olympic Games.  “With the previous version, the third game was the definitive one and, in this one, it is necessary to demonstrate which is the best team by acquiring the most points in each group and then you get the direct World Cup ticket. 

In its four matches thus far, Mexico has three wins and a 1-1 draw against Canada (3-1-0, 10 points).  Arteaga was somewhat concerned by the conservative approach taken by the opposition in those outings, with the exception of Panama.

"I was surprised Haiti in the last game, a rival who had no chance of advancing used a line of five defenders,” he noted.  “Panama was the only one who dared to be offensive and it was our best game so far.”

The former Guadalajara striker is looking forward to the challenge posed by Costa Rica (3-0-1, 9 points), which can also finish first in Group B with a win over Mexico and a Canada tie/loss. 

"Costa Rica is a team that has grown in the tournament, which attacks very well,” Arteaga finished.  “Their lines are sorted, so hopefully they’ll go looking for a win, as will we.  It will be a nice game in which Mexico seeks to ensure directly a ticket to the World Cup.  It will be the biggest game of the first phase.”