Reporting from Johannesburg, South Africa — Much of the focus for Sunday's second-round match between Mexico and Argentina has been on Diego Maradona's unbeaten team, the new World Cup favorite.
But Mexico midfielder Gerardo Torrado said anyone who overlooks El Tri is making a mistake.
"We're here," he told a news conference Thursday. "You have to know that Mexico is also a strong rival and you have to respect your rivals. If you analyze the games, we're a difficult opponent. We know we can win."
Maradona was quick to praise Mexico after both teams completed group play earlier this week. "They deserve a lot of respect," the Argentine coach said. "They have their identity."
And Torrado said they can't lose that identity now that Mexico is entering the elimination phase after Tuesday's loss to Uruguay.
"Against Uruguay, in that game, we could have tied, lost or won," he said. "That's passed. We're in another situation now.
"We met our first objective, to advance, and now we have a good opportunity. We have to enjoy that but with responsibility to prepare in the best way possible to play a great game."
Right on the money
South Africa figures to cash in on the victories by England and the U.S. on Wednesday. The wins sent both teams on to the second round, meaning more cash-laden visitors could soon be coming to the World Cup while fans already here will likely extend their stays.
One tour company said nearly three-quarters of the English fans it was working with planned to stick around through the second round. Some Americans in Johannesburg were scrambling to change hotel and airline reservations.
According to figures published in a South Africa paper and credited to Visa, during the first week of World Cup matches spending by international visitors using Visa cards exceeded $129 million.
Thank-you note
The Chilean team has been based in remote Nelspruit during group play, but the players apparently enjoyed their stay. So much so, the Chilean embassy sent a delegation to the municipality this week with an initiative to open a soccer academy in the area. Chile has already donated soccer uniforms to disadvantaged youths at a primary school there.
"We have received a very warm welcome. We have had a wonderful time," sports minister Gabriel Ruiz-Tagle said. "In our hearts we will never forget Nelspruit."
Magical performance
