Mexico's New Golden Boy....ORIBE PERALTA

Mexico seemed aimless and going nowhere fast. Heading into the playoffs, they were favorites, but my Mexican brothers had struggled to score against lesser teams. Their friendly matches and qualifiers leading up to this playoff were stale. All bark but not bite. So, there was bound to be a few butterflies in the stomach. But this is where stars are born and where they rise to the occasion. Once, they sang the name of Chicarito, but with a new look Mexican team that won convincingly, there may be a new star in ORIBE PERALTA.

He put two goals in the first leg and followed up with a hat trick. He lead the line expertly and added the much needed energy and spice that Mexico had been missing from qualifying. But it was his headed goal in the first leg that got me standing up.
  It was an incredibly difficult skill to pull off, his body moving away from goal and being able to direct it into the top corner. Once I saw that goal, then I was convinced that he could be the unexpected star in Brazil next summer. This comes off the back of scoring the Olympic winner against mighty Brazil in London last summer. It seems that Peralta may be ready to take charge of this Mexican team. I see that fearlessness in him and a belief in his quality to execute and punish the opposition with precise finishing. If Mexico can raise their game and play freely, and utilize the great instincts of Peralta, then Mexico may go further than they have ever gone at a World Cup.

What about Chicharito? Once the darling of Mexican football and expected to explode on the big stage after his very promising 2010 World Cup. Seems he is now in the shadow of Peralta, and it must HURT being in that position.
  He knows that a decision MUST be made about his club career. With Peralta proving that he can carry this Mexican team, albeit against weak opposition, my boy Hernandez needs to get his act together. If Moyes won't GUARANTEE him a start, he needs to JET. There should be no talk about being part of future plans, and being part of the team. He must go to a club where he is a STARTER. That is the only way he can put in a good argument in being a starter next summer. Herrera, the new Mexican coach, is not resting on sentiment. He's looking for those that are playing regularly for their clubs and can prove they DESERVE that starting spot.

For now, Mexico are on a high and they go to another World Cup ready to entertain. But there must come a time where they can't just be happy with making up the numbers. That Olympic victory must be a stepping stone for them to go forth and take Mexico into uncharted territory. The Mexicans have always been good and played FOOTBALL. The one thing they have missed is a SUPERSTAR. That jewel that is the icing to the always tasty Mexican cake. Peralta and Hernandez will both compete for that title, and that can only be good news for Herrera who must want Mexico to excel on their OWN continent.


HH