MEXICO CITY -- Mexico won an important World Cup qualifier Sunday,
routing Jamaica 4-0 at Azteca Stadium behind two goals each from newcomer
Antonio De Nigris and Jared Borguetti,
This was Mexico's first World Cup qualifying game since its 2-0 loss to the
United States at Columbus, Ohio, last month.
Mexico (1-1) moved into first place in the final round of the North and
Central American and Caribbean region, ahead of the United States (1-0) and
Jamaica (1-1) on goal difference.
Costa Rica and Honduras (both 0-0-1) are tied for fourth and Trinidad and
Tobago (0-1) is last.
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| Mexico's Duilio Davino right, fight for the ball with Jamaican Onandi Lowe. Mexico beat Jamaica 4-0. (AP) | |
On Wednesday, the United States is at Honduras, and Trinidad and Tobago is
at Costa Rica. The top three teams qualify for the 2002 tournament in Japan and
South Korea.
De Nigris, who began playing professionally just last year, scored in the
14th and 15th minutes. Borguetti replaced De Nigris in the 66th minute and
scored in the 83rd and 87th minutes.
"It's the least I could do after substituting for Antonio," Borguetti
said. "The important thing is the victory because we needed the confidence
really badly."
Before playing Jamaica, Mexico had gone seven games without a win, losing
five and tying two. But with a switch in its roster after the loss to the
United States, Mexico played better in its previous appearance, a 3-3 tie with
Brazil in am exhibition game.
Mexico has never lost a World Cup qualifier at home. Of the 51 games it has
played, it has won 47 and tied four. Most of them have been played in Azteca
Stadium.
"We knew Mexico would come out very strong offensively, although its latest
results don't show that," Jamaica coach Clavis Oliveira said.
AP NEWS
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