Jimmy Lozano debuts with a victory in Copa Oro
Coming from one of the worst games against the US in years in the semis of the Nations League, a bland performance against Panama in the game for the third place, and the subsequent departure of head coach Diego Cocca, El Tri faced the beginning of this year’s Copa Oro with renewed enthusiasm after the announcing of Jaime ‘Jimmy’ Lozano as new head coach.
The first match against Honduras could be anticipated as a victory for Mexico. Honduras came from a disastrous World Cup qualifier in which they only got four points, losing ten games, drawing four and being unable to get a single victory. Their participation in the Group C of the Nations League however showed improvements, beating Canada at home, but also lost to them in Toronto and lost against Curacao in San Pedro Sula.
The game itself was one sided, since the very first moments of the match at the 49th second, the first goal had already been scored. Luis Romo got a rebound just outside the big box, took a shot and converted the quickest goal in the history of Mexico at the Gold Cup.
Mexico kept trying, with Uriel Antuna, Erick Sanchez, Orbelin Pineda and Henry Martin commanding the attacks. At the 22’, a corner was headed by Jesus Gallardo and the rebound ended in between Luis Romo and the net, simply for the Monterrey midfielder to head the ball inside. During the remainder of the first half, there was practically one team on the field.
The second half was not different and Mexico came in trying to increase the goal difference. At the 52’ Johan Vasquez came out from the back with a long pass that Gallardo correctly deflected with the head and passed the ball to Orbelin. The recent Greek superleague champion did a one-two pass combo just outside the box with Henry Martin and after getting the ball back, dribbled his way past a rather complacent defense, and scored the third goal of the night. A lighting speed quality play by Mexico that practically sentenced the game.
Ten minutes later, another quick play by Orbelin, who tried to dribble past his defender but ended up losing the ball, however the rebound fell on Romo, who had a terrific game, and put a through ball for Luis Chavez, who shot from the penalty mark scoring the last goal of the match.
Mexico kept trying despite the wide advantage gained and were able to create further chances. ‘Charly’ Rodriguez and ‘Piojito’ Alvarado were the ones insisting on the attack and successfully found Santiago Gimenez in scoring positions. Unfortunately for the Eredivisie champion, the goal he scored was offside and the other chances he had could not be completed.
After the debacle with Cocca, that itself followed another bad performance under Gerardo Martino last November in Qatar, Mexico really needed this type of authoritative victory. While it’s true that this Honduras team is far from its best version from former years, they never cease to be a complicated rival, particularly when they play against El Tri. With this win, Mexico faces the 2023 Gold Cup with renewed hope and confidence.
