Mexico players don show strong support for goalkeeping legend Guillermo ‘Memo’ Ochoa to make historic start against Czechia for World Cup group stage finale on Wednesday. Ochoa, wey be 40 years old, don make Mexico squad for sixth World Cup, join players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for that milestone.
But unlike Messi and Ronaldo, Ochoa never play for this tournament so far. He dey serve as backup to Chivas goalkeeper Raúl ‘Tala’ Rangel. Winger Alexis Vega talk say, ‘Obviously, e go be extraordinary. Something really cool for Memo. For me, he be legend of Mexican national team.’
Vega add say, ‘I think he be player wey always ready to play for national team. For the end, head coach Vasco go make decision. I think all 26 of us here dey ready if we get opportunity.’ Ochoa make history this summer after dem include am for Mexico World Cup roster for sixth time.
If e play against Czechia, e go mark fourth time wey e go earn minutes for major tournament. For Mexico two recent victories over South Korea and South Africa wey cement their place for knockout rounds, the 26-year-old Rangel don be starter. Midfielder Roberto ‘Piojo’ Alvarado talk say, ‘Whether e be Memo or whoever play, everybody dey prepared for whatever come their way.’
Alvarado add say, ‘We go happy to see Memo for net. Obviously, we know say Tala dey do things for best way possible. And if that be the case for Ochoa to start, I think Tala go take am well too. There be great atmosphere. E be great group.’ Attacking midfielder Orbelín Pineda also agree about possible start for Ochoa.
Pineda talk say, ‘We go proud, to be honest. Personally, I don know Memo for quite some time, and e be great person, e be great player. We know the leadership wey e show on and off field, and I think all 26 of us dey available and go do our best. And if Memo get chance, we know e go do well.’
Despite Mexico don already secure their place for knockout round, players note say dem no want take group stage game at historic Estadio Azteca lightly. Vega talk say, ‘We dey very calm, we know we don already dey for next round, but we no want to relax. We want to win tomorrow game. We know dem be tough opponent. We want to keep playing the way we don dey play.’
Vega add say, ‘I think against Korea, we able to improve some of our defensive aspects and I think up front we get to continue dey clinical for front of goal to keep advancing.’ Pineda talk say, ‘We no don achieve anything yet. You fit feel that strong desire to give our best for our country, for our national team. And well, no, we no don win anything. We get great opportunity tomorrow. To win these three points and then focus on one game at a time.’
After Wednesday match, head coach Javier Aguirre and im men go prepare for round of 32 game back at Azteca on June 30. If dem win that match, dem go return to the venue once again for round of 16 match on July 5.
