The Mexican national team was able to emerge victorious from the most demanding preparation duel in recent months by drawing 0-0 with Japan, where the team led by Javier “Vasco” Aguirre suffered more than expected and where goalkeeper Luis Malagon emerged as the most important player of the Aztec eleven.

A result in which the lack of aim of the Asian team also had a lot to do with having solved even with some ease this commitment of the FIFA date that developed before a spectacular entrance of more than 45,000 spectators in the Coliseum of Oakland, California.

The reality is that the Japanese team dominated most of the actions and could have gone ahead on the scoreboard, but goalkeeper Malagon had a lot to do with at least three clear chances to score, demonstrating that he is ready for the great undertakings of the Mexican team.

Perhaps the lack of greater offensive power of Mexico had a lot to do with the fact that Aguirre surprised everyone by his announcement at the conference last Friday in which Hirving “Chucky” Lozano would start, but in the end he ended up deciding on Raul Jimenez as a single man up front accompanied by a trident of three attacking midfielders like Roberto Alvarado, Orbelin Pineda and Alexis Vega, as well as two midfielders tips in Edson Alvarez and Marcel Ruiz.

Another surprise was starting with Jorge Sanchez on the right instead of Rodrigo Huescas and also leaving Erick “Chiquito” Sanchez on the bench, who has shown greater mobility in America. Under these factors, Mexico had a doubly difficult time trying to get into the rhythm, but the speed of the Japanese was pure poison for the Aztec team.

Mexico could barely avoid it

The Japanese team had the greater offensive strength from start to finish and really did not take the victory due to the great work of the defense where Cesar Montes and Johan Vazquez passed the important test, taking the team on their shoulders, in addition to the work of goalkeeper Malagon who was able to keep the scoreboard afloat.

For the second half, Mexico sent German Berterame, Hirving Lozano,Erick "Chiquito" Sanchez and Santi Gimenez, but everything remained the same, making it difficult for the Aztecs to get close to Zion Suzuki's goal, who seemed like a spectator.

Montes was sent off three minutes from time for a tactical foul as a Japanese forward was heading into the box. Shortly before that, Lozano shot powerfully in the box after setting up the ball, but the shot was blocked by a defender, and almost immediately, Berterame was left alone in the box after a ball reached him, but his right-footed half-turn went wide.

This made it clear that things seem to be resolved for El Tri from midfield to defense, and the problem is generating offensive play, which is expected to improve in the next friendly, against South Korea.