Just in case

Mexico practices penalties before facing U.S.

Updated: Sunday June 16, 2002 05:48 a.m. ET

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CHONJU, South Korea (Reuters) -- Mexico practised their penalty kicks on Sunday but said they hoped to dispose of the United States in open play during their World Cup second round tie.

"We're not afraid of penalties but the idea is to win within 90 minutes," midfielder Jesus Arellano said after the Mexicans completed a relaxed and light-hearted training session at Chonju's World Cup stadium.

Strikers Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Jared Borgetti and midfielder Alberto Garcia Aspe practised their spot kicks at the end of the session, as did Luis Hernandez, who will not start Monday's match but could come on as a substitute.

Asked who would take Mexico's penalties if the sides were level after extra time, coach Javier Aguirre declined to comment, joking that he feared he would be overheard by "American spies."

Arellano said the Mexicans had learned to respect a U.S. side which has improved immeasurably in recent years.

"It's difficult to discern any weak points in the U.S. They're a very complete team," he said. "It's a special match -- a classic -- but the most important thing is that we win it."

Midfielder Gerardo Torrado said mental preparation would be key to the outcome of the tie.

"We have to walk out there with a winning mentality," he said. "But this squad has that kind of mentality at the moment and we're optimistic we can do what we need to win."

Mexico and the United States have met 46 times in the past, with the Mexicans winning 28 and the U.S. nine.

The U.S. went for over 40 years and 20 matches between the 1930s and 1980 without ever beating Mexico in a competitive fixture.

But recently the two sides have been more evenly matched, and they both won one apiece in their two qualifying games for this World Cup.

"These two sides know each other really well and that will make it a difficult match," Blanco said.

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