Mexico prepares to counter Messi factor

PRETORIA,  (Reuters) – Mexico fear that a first goal  at this World Cup from Argentina’s Lionel Messi in the second  round today could dash their hopes of revenge for their  defeat by the same opponents at the same stage four years ago. 

Argentina, who won the 2006 meeting 2-1 after extra time,  and Mexico meet at Soccer City (1830 GMT) outside Johannesburg  looking for a place in the quarter-finals against England or  Germany. 

Barcelona club mates Messi and Rafael Marquez, who scored  Mexico’s early opener in that match in Leipzig, come face to  face again after the Argentine came on as a substitute near the  end of normal time on his 19th birthday.  

“We know it’s difficult to get the ball off him, he’s so  quick and can change direction or pace at any time,” Marquez  said on Friday. “(Argentina) have the best player in the world.”  

Messi has never been on the losing side in three meetings  with Mexico and scored a superb goal in the 3-0 victory at the  2007 Copa America and another in a 4-1 win in a friendly in San  Diego two years ago.  

Yet to get off the mark in South Africa although he has  created a string of chances and hit the woodwork twice, Messi’s  sole World Cup goal to date was in the 6-0 rout of Serbia and  Montenegro in 2006.   

‘WEAK WINGS’

Coach Diego Maradona, when comparing his impact in 1986 to  Messi’s now, reeled off a list of Argentine scorers at the  Mexico finals and said “I came to the team’s aid when they  needed me” suggesting Messi will do the same.  

Argentina’s attack have been scintillating and with Mexico  also expected to retain a three-man attack, it should be as good  an encounter as that four years ago when Hernan Crespo equalised  and Maxi Rodriguez volleyed an extra-time winner voted goal of  the tournament.  

“Defensively, (Argentina) are not the best, they have a  great attack but their weakness is on the flanks. We must plan  the game properly to play our best,” Marquez told reporters.  

Jonas Gutierrez, likely to return on the right of  Argentina’s defence after serving a suspension, said he was  comfortable whether he had Juan Sebastian Veron or Rodriguez  playing in front of him.