Tata Martino Expresses Fears that Mexico are not Ready for 2022 FIFA World Cup

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By Martin Graham | 5th Jun 2022

Mexico head coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino was visibly disappointed with his side’s lacklustre display against Uruguay in a friendly on Thursday, indicating that the team are a long way off from being ready to mount a serious challenge at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“The truth is that we are not ready,” said a frustrated Martino in the post-match press conference after the game when asked about his team’s readiness for a competition that will kick start in less than six months’ time. According to Martino, the team are not in any way near the level which he expects at the moment.

“If we analyze today’s game, we are some way off, but I know it is just a friendly and I also know that we achieved a very important objective in taking Mexico to yet another World cup,” he further added. The Mexicans have a thing or two to be worried about given how the Uruguayans picked them apart with such ease and little effort.

Martino hopes to fix the problems before World Cup

The experienced manager also noted that whilst the result of the friendly game was disappointing, he is sure that the problems can be fixed before the start of the tournament in Qatar. “This is part of the preparation and in preparations, you experience up and down moments. To be honest, if I wasn’t convinced that we could bounce back, I would not be here “ he argued.

Supported by over 50,000 Mexican fans at the State farm stadium in Arizona, the El tri flattered to deceive and look way off the pace. The Uruguayans dominated and were ruthless in front of goal thanks to a hunter like display by talisman Edinson Cavani. The former Manchester United striker was in brilliant form and hit two goals in the second half.

The two goals from the hit man silenced a boisterous Mexican crowd. The head coach of the Mexican side caused a stir in the media when he named his starting eleven with five defenders. He however in his presser after the game attempted to point out positives from the hugely disappointing game.

“In the first half, the team played good. In the second half, Uruguay played really well. We had two scoring opportunities [in the first 45 minutes]. However in the first half we were even”. The coach explained.