Mexico opens World Cup prep with scoreless draw vs Wales

PASADENA, Calif. — Mexico opened its World Cup preparations with a 0-0 draw against Wales at the Rose Bowl on Monday night, but El Tri showed it has plenty more to offer in Russia than the score might indicate.

Playing the first of three tuneup matches before its Group F opener against defending champion Germany on June 17 in Moscow, a rampant Mexican attack could not find a way to beat Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

However, Mexico was just as adept in keeping the Dragons under wraps.

Wales took two shots and Mexico goalkeeper Jesus Corona did not have to make a save, getting some help when Hugo Ayala made a last-ditch tackle to keep Tom Lawrence from getting his try on goal in the 8th minute.

Aside from that attempt and some early jitters in the opening few minutes, Mexico’s defense settled in well in its first game without Nestor Araujo, who left the team Wednesday following a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.

Araujo had been practically an automatic selection for coach Juan Carlos Osorio, and his absence was exacerbated by not having Diego Reyes of Porto FC and Hector Moreno of Real Sociedad available.

Osorio expects both Reyes and Moreno to be healthy enough to play against Scotland in Mexico City on Saturday.

“And I’m sure if they are in the starting line, we will improve the quality in many ways and I think we will have a very strong back line,” Osorio said.

Mexico, which will try to advance past the round of 16 for the first time since reaching the quarterfinals when it hosted the 1986 tournament, looks to be even more confident in its attacking prowess.

“Mexico made us work for a clean sheet, they made us work hard,” said Wales manager Ryan Giggs, praising the organization and tenacity of El Tri as much as its individual skill.

Mexico took 17 shots and attempted 12 corners as it kept the pressure on a Welsh side mostly lacking in experience at the international level.

“They’ve got a lot of quality, and what we’ve seen in the buildups with the videos is a team that likes to press,” Giggs said.