GUADALAJARA: Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has refused to place too much importance on his side topping their FIFA World Cup group for the first time since 2002, insisting that their true success will be defined only by how far they advance in the tournament.
The co-hosts secured top spot in Group A and became the first team to book their place in the knockout stage after a hard-fought 1-0 win over South Korea on Thursday in Guadalajara.
The result also echoed Aguirre’s own achievement from the 2002 World Cup, when he previously guided Mexico through the group stage under similar circumstances.
However, the veteran coach was quick to brush aside any historical comparisons.
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“I didn’t know that statistic,” Aguirre said. “It’s anecdotal. It was anecdotal in 2002, and it’s anecdotal now because what matters in the end is the final position.”
Despite the landmark achievement and strong home support, Aguirre stressed that his focus remains firmly on the bigger picture as Mexico continue their campaign.
The win guarantees Mexico at least one knockout-stage match in Mexico City, something the coach welcomed while acknowledging the importance of playing in front of home fans.
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“There’s nothing like playing at home, it’s priceless,” he said. “The Mexico factor is hugely important.”
Mexico’s campaign began with a tense opening fixture against South Africa, but Aguirre noted that his team had shown clear progress in their second outing, particularly in terms of patience and game management.
“Today we learned from our mistakes,” he said. “We weren’t spectacular, but we played a good match.”
“That speaks to the team’s maturity. We were much more patient.”
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