在以３－１火爆的戰勝了伊朗隊之後，墨西哥隊向世人證明他們是一支不可忽視的力量。在去年德國舉行的聯合會杯比賽中墨西哥隊就曾打入半決賽。

　　但是墨西哥隊在之前的四屆在歐洲舉行的世界盃上保持著不光彩的紀錄，１２場比賽只贏了１場。

　　他們最好的戰績是在家門口舉行的７０和８６世界盃上打入四分之一決賽。最近三屆世界盃他們都沒能打入８強。

　　他們現在的主教練裏卡多•拉博爾佩曾是７８年阿根廷世界盃冠軍隊中的三號門將。

　　鏈結：http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-worldmexico_analysis&prov=reuters&type=lgns

　　原文：ANALYSIS-Soccer-World-Explosive Mexico hungry for success

　　By Karolos Grohmann

　　NUREMBERG, June 11 (Reuters) - Mexico, perennial also-rans of World Cup tournaments, no longer look or play like the shaky sides they have fielded in the past.

　　Following an explosive 3-1 win over Iran in their World Cup Group D opener at the Frankenstadion on Sunday, Ricardo Lavolpe's team proved they are a force to be reckoned with.

　　The signs have been there for some time after a surprise semi-final spot at last year's Confederations Cup in Germany.

　　But with an abysmal record in their four previous World Cups in Europe since 1954, where they had won only one match out of 12 until Sunday, they had a lot to prove.

　　Their best World Cup performances have seen them reach the quarter-finals as hosts in 1970 and 1986. In the last three tournaments they have failed to get past the second stage.

　　Lavolpe, a flamboyant character who was third choice keeper in the Argentina squad that won the World Cup in 1978, has trandformed and rejuvenated Mexico in his 3-1/2 years in charge.

　　Known as much for a calm and polite manner as his explosive behaviour and snappy dress sense, he seems to have instilled a winning mentality into his players.

　　While facing considerable criticism in Mexico for his choices -- only six players have survived from the 2002 World Cup squad -- he has stuck to his guns, picking passionate youngsters instead of established stars.

　　INSPIRATIONAL CHOICES

　　He has even left fiery striker Cuauhtemoc Blancoout of his plans, creating more enemies at home.

　　But the team that scored three times -- twice in three minutes towards the end when Omar Bravo got his second and Zinha added their third -- against a tight defence was entirely his creation and will go a long way to silencing his critics.

　　From handing inspirational captain Rafael Marquez a more defensive role than at his club Barcelona, to adding steel to a traditionally fragile defence or bringing on Zinha, who as well as scoring also set up a goal, Lavolpe's choices paid off.

　　Even playing grieving goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez, who only returned from his father's funeral in Mexico on Saturday, was a gamble.

　　Sanchez made the save of the match in the 12th minute with the score at 0-0 when he kept out a low header from Vahid Hashemian.

　　While the Iranians were by no means a pushover for about 65 minutes, the Mexicans patiently developed their passing game and slowly conquered the midfield, giving them more attacking options.

　　Mexico's win has given them a perfect start with Portugal and Angola likely to have a tough job on their hands when they take on Lavolpe's team in their later group games.

　　作者-北京外國語大學英語 柳瀚

責編：盧爽