Qatar Tribune

Mexico veteran Ochoa hopes to take young team far in Qatar

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VETERAN goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa wants to use his experience to lead a young Mexican team as far as possible at the World Cup. “We have a lot of young players with us who have no World Cup experience. Part of my job here is to exude calmness every day. At your first World Cup you are nervous and excited,” the 37-year-old told reporters on Monday.

“I have to help my team-mates find their emotional balance.” Mexico begin their campaign in Qatar against Poland on Tuesday and boast a team including many 2021 Olympic bronze medallists. Ochoa said he felt “honoured and privileged” to be playing his fifth World Cup. “It’s not easy to make it. There are great players who have never had the chance to play in a single World Cup.” In each of their past seven World Cup appearance­s, Mexico have been eliminated in the round of 16. But coach Gerardo Martino is concentrat­ing fully on the Poland clash.

“The first game can decide the rest of the tournament,” he said.

Mexico must also take on Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Group C.

 ?? (AFP) ?? Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa addresses a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha, on Monday.
(AFP) Mexico’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa addresses a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha, on Monday.
 ?? (AFP) ?? Mexico’s forward Rogelio Funes Mori (left) and defender Nestor Araujo (right) take part in a training session at Khor SC Training Site in Al Khor on Monday.
(AFP) Mexico’s forward Rogelio Funes Mori (left) and defender Nestor Araujo (right) take part in a training session at Khor SC Training Site in Al Khor on Monday.

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