Mexico coach Javier Aguirre answers critics by

GUADALAJARA, Jalisco — Before the World Cup, critics and followers of the Mexican national staff debated whether or not Javier Aguirre’s third stint as head coach was the fitting determination. Two video games later, the coach has led Mexico to the event’s knockout spherical.

Thursday’s 1-0 victory over South Korea at Guadalajara Stadium made the World Cup co-host the first in the event to advance while also clinching the top spot in Group A with one group play recreation remaining. After South Korea’s goalkeeper fumbled a ball, Luis Romo scored the objective that gave the Mexicans six factors and pushed them to the top of the standings.

El Tri will close out the first spherical against Czechia (6 p.m.) at Azteca Stadium on Wednesday.

During his post-match news convention, Aguirre spoke less about the outcome and more about the journey that led him to this second. At 67 and having coached Mexico in three World Cups, he explained that his expertise allowed him to strategy a match he described as eminently tactical.

“I’ve always tried to get my team to play well and to help the players and the national team develop,” Aguirre said.

For the coach, advancing to the knockout spherical represents the fruits of more than three many years of work on the sidelines and the assist of a group of gamers who rose to the event under the most demanding circumstances.

The coach also acknowledged that advancing to the next spherical has eased the stress surrounding the staff after the doubts that existed before the World Cup. Without mentioning personal vindication, he famous that soccer tends to choose solely based on the most latest outcome.

“If you win, you’re the best; if you lose, you’re the worst,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre said he stays calm because he believes his strategy to teaching hasn’t modified and that the staff was rewarded Thursday evening against South Korea in a match marked by restricted space and a high degree of tactical self-discipline.

With qualification secured, Aguirre said he is not going to alter his soccer philosophy during Mexico’s remaining group stage match even though it no longer faces the strain of securing a spot in the next spherical.

He said Czechia will enter the sport with a different aggressive need and a drive to advance, while Mexico will work to keep a high stage of efficiency that allowed it to report two consecutive wins and keep two clean sheets at the start of the event.

On the South Korean facet, coach Hong Myung-bo prevented making excuses and centered his analysis on the play that determined the match. Although he explained that he had not yet reviewed the objective sequence in element, he knew the staff made a sequence of small errors in an space of the sector where he had beforehand warned that shedding possession may show decisive.

Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel blocks a shot by South Korea’s Son Heung-min during the World Cup match on Thursday.

(Natacha Pisarenko / Associated Press)

The coach said that one of the central focuses of their preparation had been avoiding turnovers close to South Korea’s box in the face of Mexico’s high press.

Myung-bo said that during the pre-match speak, he emphasised that the first 20 minutes can be essential and believed his gamers had executed that half of the plan. He said that as the minutes handed, South Korea managed to create possibilities and was gaining strength until its essential turnover.

“After the momentum of the match shifted in our favor … both in terms of overall pressure and the play itself, we were able to create many opportunities,” Myung-bo said. “Although it ended up being a very frustrating match and we’re left with a bitter taste in our mouths over the lost possession, there’s no time to dwell on it. We have one last match ahead of us, so we’ll prepare well.”