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June 21, 2010

Aguirre: Mexico won't play for draw

By Soccernet staff

Javier Aguirre has dismissed suggestions that Mexico will settle for the draw that would ensure both his side and Uruguay qualify for the second round of the World Cup on Tuesday.

Javier Aguirre addresses his players in training
GettyImagesJavier Aguirre addresses his players in training

• Preview: Draw enough for progress
• Blog: The final hurdle

The two teams meet at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg and a point apiece would see France and South Africa exit the competition. As Uruguay currently boast a superior goal difference to Mexico, it would be Oscar Tabarez's side who would finish top of Group A.

The team finishing second in the group would likely face in-form Argentina though, so Aguirre is not contemplating the possibility of playing for a draw, whatever the conspiracy theorists may suspect.

"Tomorrow we're going to try and win,'' Aguirre said. "We can be first, second, third or even fourth [sic] in the group. The law of the Mexican side is to win.

"If as a consequence of what happens on the pitch there's a draw or a defeat and we both qualify with no major goal differences, then we'll both be happy. But I can guarantee that the Mexican side is going to go out there to try and win.

"My players are very relaxed and know they can be either first or second in the group. They know they have to be fully focussed because we still haven't achieved anything, so we have no reason to feel happy.

"Mathematically we still don't have our ticket to the next round and tomorrow we have to try and take those three points, so that we can achieve our aims for the first round."

Uruguay coach Tabarez has also dismissed suggestions that both teams will be happy to see the game end in a stalemate.

"I think it's just lots of people being creative and also lacking respect for those of us, the players and the coaches, that are going to be playing in that match tomorrow," Tabarez said. "But people can talk for free, so let's just leave it there."

Mexico, who drew with South Africa in their opening game before defeating France 2-0, will be without forward Carlos Vela due to a hamstring injury and Efrain Juarez due to suspension on Tuesday. Aguirre admits Vela's injury is worrying the country's medical staff.

"We are very sad about Vela, that's a concern," Aguirre said. "But I've got 21 players available and they're all physically and mentally very strong."