Tactics – Mexico Solid, Not Perfect in 2-1 Win Over South Korea
by Jack Pelini
After a thoroughly impressive 1-0 opening round win over Germany, Mexico struggled at times to control this match against a much less talented South Korea squad. El Tri still cruised to a 2-1 win.
Opening Tactics
Juan Carlos Osorio maintained his 4-2-3-1 formation that decimated Germany on the counter attack. However, El Tri were up against a deeper block and had more possession. This meant Mexico were forced to dictate play. South Korea responded with a disciplined 4-4-2 formation that emphasized long passes to spring counter attacks behind the high Mexican back line.
The key man in creating play was Carlos Vela.
He complemented the front three perfectly; electing to drop in between the Korean defense and midfield to find pockets and then turn and either spray passes wide or slip a ball through to Chicharito. Seen in his passing dashboard (top), he created three chances and scored the opening goal from the spot.
Korea Finding The Counter
The first half was at times filled with nervous moments for Mexico. Just 13 minutes in, Alvarez was beaten in the box one vs one with Lee Yong who dinked a cross into the back post. The crisis was averted due to the well drilled defensive work by Hirving Lozano who made a diving clearance to deny a shot from close range.
Nine minutes later, the Mexican defense was forced into three consecutive blocked shots. Guardado turned the ball over springing a quick counter through a center back splitting long pass to Heung Min Son. The Tottenham attacker had work to do and was denied twice by Salcedo and once by Moreno.
The third dangerous action from Korea in the opening half was crafted from a similar manner. Son was once again behind Salcedo and Moreno but his touch was heavy allowing a sharp Ochoa to come off his line and block the shot for a corner kick. Mexico were vulnerable, but ultimately survived with great defending inside of their own area.
Mexico Take the Lead
South Korea were well organized without being overly solid in defense as Mexico was able to create chances throughout the match. Their 12 first half fouls did help slow the Mexican front four down. It also helped Mexico take the lead when Lozano skipped past a defender and his cross was blocked by the arm of Jang Hyun-Soo. Vela calmly slotted it home for the 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, the danger man Vela squared a pass across the top of the box for Layun who forced a diving save from Cho. Two minutes before the break, Lozano once again cut inside from the left and lashed a shot just over the bar.
The Mexican front four has been fluid, fast, well drilled and extremely in tune with one another.
Chicharito provides hold up play with tremendous energy running off of the shoulder of the center backs along with cool finishing inside the box. Vela is the engine; he is adept at finding space and knows where and when to play the pass. Lozano is given a free role; he likes to cut in from the left but is also able to get down the line to cross and make diagonal runs across. Finally, Layun is the workhorse; he pins back the opposition’s left back and is direct in his running with the ability to provide a cross or pull back.
This was perfectly illustrated in the 65th minute, when Mexico added a second. After Hector Herrera won possession near the left touchline, Carlos Vela picked up the ball and skipped past the Korean midfield.
Korea In Desperation Mode
Trailing 2-0 and needing points to stay alive in the tournament, Korea had a go for it. In the 75th minute, Rafa Marquez, on for Guardado, played a horrendous back pass to Ochoa that was picked off by Hwang Hee-Chan. Instead of having a go at a one vs one with Ochoa, Hwang played a back heel to Son that was too far in front and Marquez recovered to block the shot attempt.
Son was able to put Korea on the board in the 90th minute with a fantastic curling effort from long range that found its way past Ochoa. The consolation was spectacular, but Mexico took home the three points.
Carlos Vela’s passing dashboard
Conclusions
Mexico have made a perfect start to the World Cup with six points with Vela earning man of the match honors.
They didn’t quite click on all cylinders in this match, but effectively altered their style of play to combat a deep lying Korean defense. Their front four is clicking and the back line has held up well so far. Look for Juan Carlos Osorio’s side to cause more problems as this tournament unfolds.
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