The Sven-Goran Eriksson reign in Mexico almost came to an abrupt end last night as Mexico qualified for the final round of CONCACAF world cup qualifying on goal difference.
Mexico lost 1-0 to Honduras and finished the game with only nine players after having having two players sent off in the last five minutes. Gerardo Torrado was shown a red card when he pocked up his second yellow card for a tackle on Carlos Costly while Arsenal striker Carlos Vela was given a straight red one minute later for kicking Ramon Nunez. Both players will miss Mexico’s first game in the qualifying round.
The loss to Honduras not only meant that Honduras topped the group with 12 points, but more alarmingly for Mexican fans, it continued the teams terrible away form under Eriksson. Mexico failed to win on any of its away trips in this stage losing to Honduras and Jamaica and drawing with Canada. Eriksson still has not figured out the CONCACAF game and it will be really difficult for Mexico to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa if they cannot get points on the road.
The six teams moving into the final qualifying round are Mexico, Honduras, United States, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica and El Salvador. The draw for the final round takes place this Saturday, November 22 in Johannesburg with the top three teams advancing to the 2010 world cup final in South Africa.
