TOKYO, Japan – Mexico face a pivotal clash with South Africa to round out their participation in Group A of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday night at the Sapporo Dome in Sapporo, Japan.
All four teams in the group – Japan, Mexico, France and South Africa -- are still alive going into the final matchday, with Mexico currently sitting second in the group with three points.
The top two places in the group may well be decided on goal difference, so a strong performance and a full three points would go a long way toward helping El Tricolor reach the quarterfinals.
Mexico are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Japan in which they conceded twice in the opening 11 minutes, before pulling a goal back late through Roberto Alvarado.
No doubt that Mexico will be looking for a cleaner start against South Africa and a repeat of their impressive second half in the opening match against France when they scored four goals.
Mexico will be relying on their key figures in attack, like 2020 Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship Golden Ball winner Alexis Vega (1 goal) and 2020 CMOQ Golden Boot winner Sebastian Cordova (1 goal), along with playmaker Diego Lainez, who assisted on Vega’s goal versus France.
However, the Mexican defense will also need to be wary of a South African attack that scored three second half goals in their narrow 4-3 loss to France.
Two teams with offensive weapons and each with hope of reaching the quarterfinals should make for a wide-open, entertaining affair.
