Mexico and Denmark drew 1-1 at the University of Phoenix stadium Wednesday in an international friendly that left many fans yearning for more goals. El Tri fielded domestic players, since it is not an official FIFA date. The Danes traveled with a team full of youth players.
The Mexican National Team is scheduled to take on Jamaica next week in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier. That day Mexico will field its regular team with its European-based players.
El Tri showed a lot of heart on the field, but could not get the goal they were looking for in game play. In the end, both squads had to settle for penalty goals. Marco Fabian of Chivas de Guadalajara scored for Mexico. Andreas Cornelius converted for the Danes with five minutes left in regulation.
The first half was a back and forth game with both squads battling it out in the midfield. There were no real shots on goal from either team. The Danes kept up a good guard counting on their height and youth for a counter strike.
The Mexican squad was constantly moving forward attacking the Danish lines. Paul Aguilar and Javier Aquino were constant threats from El Tri combining several times to make runs. Despite the teams’ efforts the game went to break with the 0-0.
The second half saw Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo make his debut with the national team.
Both teams brought more excitement to the pitch in the second half. The attack runs were constant with both teams reaching their opponent’s area but with no luck.
On an attack run Aquino was taken down inside the area in the 67th minute by Mikkel Kirkeskov. The referee called a penalty on the play in favor of the Mexicans. Fabian converted for El Tri giving them the 1-0 lead. Mexico continued to maintain control of their much taller opponents not allowing them to get close to their net.
El Tri made attack runs playing an organized game against a team that was also equally organized. In the 82nd Fabian passed to Raul Jimenez who was in shooting range. He fired but hit the post.
It would be a defensive error that would cost Mexico the lead. Jorge Torres-Nilo chased Cornelius into the penalty area. There was slight contact and the Dane went down. The referee bought the play and pointed to the spot. Cornelius would take the shot firing to Saucedo’s right to close the gap 1-1.
Neither team let off their attack in the remaining five minutes. However, none could get the winning goal. The referee ended the game at the 90th minute, not allowing any compensation time.
