Carlos NavaESPN Digital WriterReading: 3 min.
The performance of Jimmy Lozano and his new tricolor may have fallen short of expectations against an Australian team that spoiled the party.
Arlington – Process Jimmy Lozano The Cowboys’ new tricolor may fall short of expectations against an Australian team that spoiled the Mexican party at home.
But Lozano showed his ability to make the necessary changes to rectify what looked like a three-point deficit until substitute Cesar Huerta leveled Australia 2-2 in the 83rd minute.
The concerns Lozano admitted to before the game turned out to be true: lack of clarity, too much possession and little definition, as well as costly early defensive oversights.
For the 52,787 ticketed fans at AT&T Stadium, it was the first preseason match for the Mexican national team after a summer of emotions with a Gold Cup championship and Lozano’s confirmation as full-time coach.
Mexico may have had better luck as a result. Possessed 70 percent of the game. He also kicked two penalties, but only one went into the goal.
On the other hand, the Australians took the small chance they had to control the game till the end.
But goals from substitute Raul Jimenez and a goal from Huerta ensured Mexico leveled the first of two games in a week.
Australia woke up the Mexicans with a goal in the 19th minute on a clear defensive oversight, and in the 63rd they were punished by another error, which ensured Harry Souter and Score’s penalty to close the scoring at AT&T Stadium. Martin Boyle respectively.
Mexico got a penalty tie in the 53rd minute when Souter got a hand in the middle of a split play with Sandy Gimenez, who charged but crashed the ball past the Australian goalkeeper’s right post.
Johan Vazquez, one of the players who has established himself in the national team since Lozano took over, missed his mark at a set piece, allowing Harry Souter to overtake him, who scored with a header. AT&T Stadium was painted green, white and red.
From there, the Australians gained confidence, but not in possession, which continued in the hands of the Mexicans for the first 45 minutes, albeit with little creativity and less definition.
The only play goalkeeper Matthew Ryan really had to use himself was a triangle that ended in a shot by Jesus Gallardo.
The Tricolore had 70 percent of the ball in the first 45 minutes, but only had two shots on target.
The second part was the same. Mexico kept the ball with more depth this time. He even had a penalty that Gimenez had to take when Orbelin Pineda took the ball. But it was in vain.
Gimenez came on for Raul Jimenez in the 59th minute, while Cesar Huerta came on for Alexis Vega.
The tricolor tried, but the lack of definition and coordination, which coach Lozano warned himself was one of his priorities for improvement, once again spoiled the party in “Mexico’s home outside of Mexico.”
To make matters worse, Julian Araujo beat Riley McCree; Martin Boyle took over and silenced Australia 2-0 with a perfectly kicked penalty in the 63rd minute.
Jimenez leveled Mexico 2-1 with a penalty.
Hector Herrera, who had little presence in midfield, and Pineda, one of the tried and tested forwards, left in the 77th minute, allowing Eric Sanchez and Jordi Cortizo to come on.
Now, Mexico must leave the tie to travel to Atlanta, where they face Uzbekistan on Tuesday in this quick Fifa date to try and return to their country with top marks.
