The next May 30the Mexican National Team directed by Gerardo Martino, swill face Iceland in a friendly match. It will take place in Arlington, as part of the group’s annual tour of the United States. The Mexican Soccer Federation (FMF) confirmed this Wednesday that the duel will be the first of a total of five that are planned to be played in the neighboring country throughout 2021.
After those led by Argentine Gerardo “Tata” Martino lost to Wales and beat Costa Rica in their first two friendlies of the year, will use the will face Iceland as part of the preparation for the match against the “ticos”. On June 4th, They will play the semifinal of the Concacaf Nations League.
In addition to this commitment, the Mexican National Team You will have two other major challenges. The first will be to keep the title in the Gold Cup, this summer, and manage to get ahead in the qualifying round for the World Cup in Qatar 2022.
However, Martino has made clear the joint work with Jaime Lozano, which is why he will give priority this year to tokyo olympics. The selection of Mexico Its main objective is to enter the fight for a medalafter having won the gold medal in London 2012 and having been eliminated in the group stage in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
Despite this, the strategist will be able to have a competitive team in the Gold Cup, Well, it has a large group of players who have stood out for their good performance, a combination of youngsters with veterans, with whom it intends to reach Qatar and play a good role in the World Cup.
It should be noted that Mexico has qualified for the round of 16 in each of the last seven World Cups. However, they were knocked out just as many times in the top 16 stage.
Tata’s goal is to reach, at least, the quarterfinals in Qatar. The bet is difficult, despite the fact that it has a quality team, made up of figures involved in European leagues.
It is necessary to say that, Against Iceland, Mexico accumulates two victories and two draws. The last time they met, it was in Santa Clara, Mexico won with a score of 3-0.
Although traditionally Iceland has been one of the weakest national teams in Europe, has made significant progress. Currently the set He is ranked 46th in the FIFA world ranking.
Russia 2018 was the first World Cup they attendedthe classification was achieved after being in first position, after adding 22 points out of 30. In the qualifying group, Croatia finished in second place, and was also their rival in the group stage in Russia along with Argentina and Nigeria .
The important leap that Icelandic football has had is thanks to investment in infrastructure. In a country with such an extreme climate, soccer was a summer pastime until the turn of the century when covered facilities that allowed training throughout the year and promoted the professionalization of coaches and players.
The playing style of the Icelandic team is based on collective sacrifice, it can be understood by analyzing a simple fact. It is the smallest country, with about 330,000 inhabitantswho had never played a World Cup. “We are few, but we are together”, said in the Argentine media The nation team captain Aron Gunnarsson.
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Source-www.infobae.com