Mexico’s explanations for an eye-opening 0-0 draw with Angola on Friday were much like its aim.
All over the place.
Depending on who was talking, one of the biggest surprises of the World Cup was either the result of a lack of intensity, a lack of patience, a lack of intelligence, a lack of luck or the absence of injured forward Jared Borgetti. Or all of the above.
“Sometimes,” Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe said, “the ball just doesn’t want to go in the net.”
This much is clear: Of all the missed chances, the biggest wasted opportunity was Mexico’s failure to lock up a spot in the second round against an inferior Angola team down to 10 players for the final 11 minutes.
“[Advancing] is a little bit complicated now,” Mexico defender Carlos Salcido said.
Victory also would have put Mexico in position to possibly win Group D with a draw with Portugal on Wednesday. Winning the group is critical as Group D’s runner-up meets Group C’s winner, likely Argentina, the strongest tournament team so far, in the second round.
But by the end of a cold night at AWD Arena, the match rested in the secure hands of Angola’s unemployed goalkeeper, Joao Ricardo.
“Tonight,” Salcido said, “was totally all Mexico.”
For most of the night, Mexico captain Rafael Marquez seemed to have the match on a leash, picking apart Angola with one elegant, intelligent pass or touch after another. Midfield bulldog Gerardo Torrado ran down everything in sight.
“We played really well in the back, good in the midfield, but the most important thing is you need to score,” Mexico midfielder Pavel Pardo said. “We need to practice that in training.”
Mexico easily could have been up 2-0 after 13 minutes on a pair of free kicks, the first a Pardo blast in the 11th directly to Ricardo, who hasn’t had a club to play for since last year. Two minutes later Marquez’s 30-yard rocket beat Ricardo but couldn’t get past the foot of the right post.
