Mexico vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Final score 0-1, rotated El Tri can’t score
Miguel Herrera gave some fringe players a chance to win some big-game playing time and they failed to do so.
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Mexico have been a big success under Miguel Herrera since he took over the post, and they might be a big success still. But they looked much more like 'Chepo' de la Torre's El Tri side than any of Herrera's on Tuesday, turning in a disappointing performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina. They only put two shots on target in a 1-0 loss.
Since Mexico are playing four legitimate friendlies before the World Cup -- with one more coming this weekend against Portugal -- Herrera took the opportunity to rotate his squad and give chances to a lot of players who are likely to start on the bench at the World Cup. The likes of Raul Jimenez and 'Chicharito' Javier Hernandez got chances, and unfortunately for Mexico fans, they didn't really impress.
World Cup
Chicharito’s best chance came in the 20th minute off a great ball over the top from Miguel Layun that the Manchester United striker was able to take down, but he hit the post with his effort from 12 yards.
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s lone goal came just before halftime, with Izet Hajrovic turning in a cross from Sejad Salihovic. It was a deserved goal from the Bosnians, who had the better of the play throughout the half. Despite playing three central midfielders, Mexico struggled to control the center of the park and eventually ended up paying for it.
While Mexico did only get two shots on target -- both coming fairly late in the second half -- they were a bit unlucky not to score. Both of those shots required Asmir Begovic to make great saves, and he came up big on both occasions. His stop in the 86th minute on ‘Maza’ Francisco Rodriguez, in particular, was a highlight reel stop and downright robbery.
Mexico: Talavera, Reyes, Salcido (Rodriguez 58’), Moreno (Brizuela 46’), Ponce, Peña (Guardado 63’), Vazquez, Herrera (Dos Santos 71’), Layun, Jimenez (Pulido 58’), Hernandez (Fabian 81’)
Goals: None
Bosnia: Begovic, Salihovic, Spahic, Mujdza (Vranjes 46’), Sunjic (Kolasinac 46’), Besic, Pjanic (Ibisevic 76’), Mimisovic (Susic 69’), Lulic (Libricic 64’), Hajrovic (Visca 77’), Dzeko
Goals: Hajrovic (41’)
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