Hugo Broos on How to Beat Mexico and the Home Side's Surprising World Cup Statistic
Bafana Bafana are making their fourth World Cup appearance but have yet to progress beyond the group stage. However, in their last two tournaments in 2002 and 2010, they earned four points, which will be more than sufficient this time given the expanded 48-team format.
Mexico will be overwhelming favourites, enjoying home advantage and a team in fine form. Yet Bafana will aim to be the major disruptors in what is predicted to be the largest ever audience for a World Cup opening match, with 1.5 billion viewers.
Coach Hugo Broos faced the then hosts Mexico at the 1986 World Cup, his final appearance as a player for Belgium. Now, 40 years later, he comes full circle to conclude his coaching career.
"There will be a massive crowd and there will not be much South African support," Broos said. "So that is a big help for them. They will have 85,000 Mexicans shouting and singing. But we have to focus entirely on our game. If we can do that, if we are not too heavily influenced by the noise of 85,000 Mexicans, then we can have a good game.
"I think they've (Mexico) won nearly all of their last 10 games. So they'll be a team playing with immense confidence. They're the best team in the group. It will be a very tough game. We need to be at our absolute best level, but I can assure you our team is ready to fight for every metre and every ball."
The 74-year-old Broos said six months ago that this tournament would be his last in coaching before he retires, and he is hoping for a perfect ending to a lifetime in the game.
“No one in Hollywood could have scripted it better. I am dreaming of a beautiful ending where South Africa reach the knockout phase of a World Cup for the first time after three first-round exits. Three points will take us through,” he said.
“When South Africa bow out of this tournament, I will say goodbye to football. I turned 74 years old this year and the time has come to be with my wife, two daughters, son and eight grandchildren.”
Broos believes there is not much difference between the four teams in Group A, which also includes the Czech Republic and South Korea, even if Mexico look the most complete side.
“Mexico are a good, ambitious team who emphasise movement. Nothing other than our best level will suffice. We must know what to do when they have the ball, and when we have it,” he said.
“The four teams are not too different in terms of quality. That means there are three tough matches ahead for South Africa. Our mission is to create history by reaching the second round.”
One statistic in Bafana Bafana’s favour is that Mexico have played in seven opening matches at the World Cup over the years and never won.
"We have to break that statistic," their coach Javier Aguirre said. "I actually didn't know that fact. I’m going to share it with the players. It will be another brilliant source of motivation for us."