Mexico midfielder Hector Herrera has spoken out about the team’s failure at the Qatar 2022 World Cup and revealed that the atmosphere in the camp didn’t help El Tri.
Mexico won their final group game, 2-1 against Saudi Arabia, but having drawn with Poland and lost to Argentina, it wasn’t enough to keep them in the tournament. Hopes were not high going into the tournament, but a group stage exit is always a disappointment.
Lack of confidence
Herrera, 32, who now plays for MLS franchise Houston Dynamo after almost 10 years in Europe with Porto and Atletico Madrid, spoke to TUDN about where it went wrong for Mexico.
« I think we played better, luck wasn’t on our side and that creates a lack of confidence, so we went into it with a lack of belief that shouldn’t have happened, » said Herrera
« Then I think a lot of players’ level of play dropped, and we had a lot of injuries, absences.
« There was a heavy atmosphere which didn’t instil confidence within the group, the fans or Mexico itself. »
Selection doubts
Herrera also suggested that the squad selected by Tata Martino may not have been the right one. There was a lot of debate around Mexico’s 26-man squad and it hasn’t gone away now.
« Everyone gets it wrong when they make their [squad] list, because you’d make your list, I’d make my list, » said Herrera.
« He made his list and he believed that those 26 players were the right ones to play.
« I think there will always be that doubt about whether he got it wrong or not. »
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