TRI-Mendous Victory At The Azteca

For one night in the land of the Aztecs, a little bit of order was restored, or was it?

The Mexican National Team escaped with a victory in the last minutes on a “Chilena” gol from Club America player Raul Jimenez

Mexico sarted fast nand controlled the action from the outset, but couldn’t quite get the finish they needed, until lightning struck in the 40^th minute.

Oribe Peralta lifted the spirits of a proud nation, giving them hope to control their destiny in qualfying for World Cup 2014 in Brazil, when his half volley past Panamanian Goalkeeper Jaime Penedo gave them the 1-0 lead.

In minute 56 the Mexican squad should have put the nail in the coffin, and cruised in for victory, when awarded a penalty kick. Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez failed in his attempt for the 2-0 lead, and left the door open for a Panamanian surprise.

With only about 10 minutes remaining, the surprise was revealed, when there was some confusion in the back, and some bad timing for a few comical errors in clearing the ball out of the danger area, when substitute Luis Tejada sent a shockwave through the country, and tied the score at 1-1.

All hope of qualifying was slippng away when the soccer gods smiled down on Mexico City, and allowed the host nation another shot of earning a place at WC 2014.

In minute 85 a mistimed collection sent the ball upward into the sky and above the body of Raul Jimenez where with cat like quickness he flung himself into the air and performed what is known as the “Chilena” or “Bicycle Kick” and with the precision of an elite artist, placed the ball into the corner where the keeper had no chance, sending a nation once again into fan psychosis.

Mexico did not play well, and the announcers were quite occupied all night discussing the situation where Carlos Vela has again denied an invitation to be involved in the squad. This is the same person who helped Mexico lift a Youth World Cup trophy several years back, and understands quite well the passion that is involved in the greatest soccer tournament in the word. In this reporters view, good luck, and good riddance to Mr. Vela.

Mexico will now face to Costa Rica to settle where they stand in terms of qualification, and although they secured a win tonight, they are not the same squad that dominated on their home turf, where only a few visitors over the years walked away with a result in the hallowed grounds of the Estadio Azteca, a place I know quite well having passed out there on that field from the altitude.