Mexico vs Denmark: Denmark’s the spot

Mexico faces Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium on January 30, 2013(Andrea Martinez/TriReport.org)

GLENDALE, AZ-Two penalties tied up Mexico’s first game of 2013.

Marco Fabian scored via penalty and 19-year-old Andreas Cornelius tied up the game a few minutes later at the University of Phoenix Stadium.

In front of 43,345 people, Mexico failed to deliver a win in their last game before the World Cup qualifiers.

Mexico started off with the attack, shooting down the left flank.

In the seventh minute the Mexican attack was flagged offside in both the seventh and ninth minute.

Within the first 15 minutes Mexico had the majority of the possession but had little to show for their efforts.

In the 16th minute Angel Reyna made a pass that found Javier Aquino. Aquino then took the shot, but Hansen was able to block one of Mexico’s closest efforts.

Mexico continued to knock on the Danes’ door with a shot from Reyna hitting the post and moving wide in the 30th minute.

Denmark attacked briefly through the 40th minute, but Jesus Corona kept the balls out of his net.

Cirilio Saucedo then made his debut with the Mexican national team. The current Xolo and Liga MX champion replaced Corona at half time.

Denmark had an to open up the score in the 65th minute. Silberbauer was able to intercept the ball at the edge of the Mexican box, but was unable to give it proper direction.

Moments later Kirkeskov brought down Aquino in a play that saw the referee point to the spot.

Marco Fabian stepped up to the spot and buried the ball into the top corner of the net and gave Mexico the 1-0 advantage.

Fabian’s goal wasn’t enough to keep Mexico on top. In the 83rd minute the referee pointed to the stop after Jorge Torres Nilo made contact with Cornelius.

Saucedo dove the opposite way and was unable to stop Cornelius’ low drive that equalized for Denmark.

Line ups

Mexico XI: Corona(45′ Saucedo), Maza, Ayala, Salcido, Torres Nilo, Aguilar, Aquino, Herrera(84′ Molina), Peralta(45′ Fabian), de Nigris(70’Jimenez), Reyna(60′ Arce)

Denmark: Hansen, Okore, Stadsgaard, Jaconbsen(85′ Pederson), Kirkeskov, Sloth, Albaek, Christiansen(61′ Silberbauer), Larsen(45’Kusk), Jorgensen(74’Bech), Cornelius(85’Poulsen)

Overall the game left a bit to be desired. Expectations were high as this was not a full strength Danish squad. They’d beaten Canada 4-0 a few days earlier but expectations were high as most of the Mexican players in the squad are considered to continue on to the hexagonal game against Jamaica on February 6.

Defense needs to tighten up a bit, and it’ll be good to have Hector Moreno available for the game. It would have been great to have seen some more of the Olympic medalists(such as Reyes and Mier) on the field to take on their similarly aged counterparts and see how they worked with the rest of the senior squad.

Andres Guardado and Giovani Dos Santos will be important additions as well, and it’ll be great to see what they can do to help the attack.

Next up: First game in the hex against Jamaica on February 6 at the Azteca.

‘Maza’ answers reporters’ questions. Mexico faced Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They played to a 1-1 draw.(Justin Jaquays)

Aldo de Nigris answers questions in the mixed zone. Mexico faced Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They played to a 1-1 draw.(Justin Jaquays)

Jesus Corona answers questions after the game. Mexico faced Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They played to a 1-1 draw.(Justin Jaquays)

Mexico faced Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They played to a 1-1 draw.(Justin Jaquays)

Mexico faced Denmark at the University of Phoenix Stadium. They played to a 1-1 draw.(Justin Jaquays)

Thanks to Justin Jaquays for letting us use his photos!