Mexico earned their ticket for the final of the Festival after beating a strong Turkish team (3-1). Aguirre, who scored a hat-trick, was the key man of the Aztec success. The Mexicans will play England again in the final in Martigues on this Saturday.
The fight was rough. The duels were hard. This was expected. And the Mexicans finally made it. The tactic set up by the Turkish was clear and identifiable from the first minutes : doing an intense pressing on the Mexicans in order to make them crack.
Aguirre scores three goals and now has seven goals in the competition
The first big scoring opportunity appeared at the 4th minute for Turkey. Kanatsizkus get the ball back in the opponent side and goes straight to the goal. He was illgally stopped by Vargas close to the penalty area on the left. The free-kick was played in two times. Ozturk gave it to Ozfesli who, with a powerful shot, forced Hernandez to deflect it (0-0, 4’). After the first quarter, Mexico started to be more dangerous. The solo plays from Diego Lainez on the left side gave some work to Polat, who had to look after the Mexican star. Mexico then opened the score. A long ball was send to Antuna. Fighting for the ball with Dursun, he headed it to Diego Lainez. The Tampico Madero striker brillantly chipped the ball in front of Sengezer who went out of his goal (1-0, 27’). This is the third assist from the Club America rising star in the competition.
The higher technical level of the Mexicans took advantage on the physical impact given by the Turkish. These ones became less accurate in their interventions and let spaces. Close to twenty minutes after getting back from the changing rooms, Diego Lainez fired the Turkish defence, eliminated two players and sent a beautiful pass for Antuna. The FC Groningen winger crossed the ball to Aguirre, who netted a brace (2-0, 58’). This was too much for the Turkish players. They couldn’t react. And Mexico punished them. Aguirre scored another goal thanks to a penalty (3-0, 75’). Kanatsikus finally scored a goal for Turkey also with a penalty (3-1, 79’). Mexico, with a formidable efficiency and led by their serial scorer Aguirre (7 goals), will play the final next Saturday in Martigues.
Jordan Bozonnet
Credits photo : Magali Ruffato
Mexico – Turkey : 3-1
Semi-final
Stade de Lattre, Aubagne
Goals : Aguirre (27', 58', 75') for Mexico ; Kanatsizkus (78') for Turkey
Mexico : Hernandez - Sanchez, Montes (c) (Esquivel Martinez, 40'), Vargas, Arteaga - Antuna, Cervantes, Gonzalez (Cordova, 40'), Lainez (Cardona, 70') – Alvarado (Garcia, 80'), Aguirre
Coach : Marco Ruiz
Turkey : Sengezer (c) - Polat, Demiral, Demirbag, Dursun – Kardes (Akcay, 45'), Ozturk, Cankaya (Durmus, 73') – Ozfesli (Eskihellac, 55'), Alici (Alpsoy, 63'), Kanatsizkus
Coach : Muzaffer Bilazer
Referees : Mr Petrescu (ROU), Mr Marica (ROU), Mr Ghinguleac (ROU)