Mexico head coach Gerardo Martino believes that their opening World Cup Group C clash against Poland on Tuesday will be "crucial" in their quest to progress to the knockout rounds.
El Tri are competing at their eighth successive World Cup this year and they will be seeking to improve on their previous seven tournament performances which have seen them eliminated in the round of 16 on each occasion.
Mexico do have a good record in the group stage, though, as they have won their opening group game in five of the last six World Cups and they have not lost an opening group match on the biggest stage since 1994.
With Argentina regarded as the favourites by many to top Group C, Mexico are set to battle with Poland and Saudi Arabia for second place.
Indeed, an opening clash with Poland is up first for the Mexicans, and Martino – who celebrated his 60th birthday on Sunday – is keen to make a strong start to their campaign against an opponent who "only has one game style".
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"We are expecting to play our three group stage matches the same way. That will depend on the rival's game plan, too. Tomorrow's match is going to be crucial for us," Martino said at a press conference on Monday.
"Poland only has one game style, and we are going to prepare ourselves for that match based on it. Poland has versatile players. They always wait and look for the open space. The style we saw [in our 2-1 friendly defeat] against Sweden might be similar tomorrow.
"We have a tough group, with competitive rivals. Tomorrow's showdown is special and so important for us."
Meanwhile, 37-year-old goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is aware of the threats that Poland could pose on Tuesday and he is expecting a challenging encounter at Stadium 974 in Doha.
"Tomorrow's match is key. We know we have a competitive team. There is no easy rival; we are only thinking about Poland as of today," Ochoa told reporters.
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"We know what we are facing tomorrow against Poland. We need to block them. It is not going to be easy, but we are ready."
Ochoa, who has won over 130 international caps with Mexico, added: "The group is excited to start the World Cup. Not everyone has an experience in a World Cup, but most of them have international experience.
"I have the privilege to be in my fifth World Cup. I want this one to be different – and the best of them all.
"Every World Cup is important, but Brazil 2014 was special. I hope for everyone to have another big memory during this World Cup."
Mexico lost their only previous World Cup meeting against Poland, suffering a 3-1 defeat in the group stage of the 1978 tournament.
After facing Poland on Tuesday, El Tri will take on Argentina on Saturday before facing Saudi Arabia in their final Group C fixture on November 30.
Oliver Thomas
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