Blanco Led Mexico to 2002 World Cup

`There was Blanco for Mexico.`

Mexico took a 25th 2002 World Cup berth.

Mexico earned a 3-0 complete victory over Honduras in the final game of the North and Central American and Caribbean qualifiers at Aztec Stadium, Mexico City yesterday. Mexican striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco led his team`s victory with two goals and one assist.

With this win, Mexico (17 points) tied the United States that played the scoreless game (0-0) with Trinidad Tobago, but took the second place exceeding the U.S. in goals to grab the last ticket to the next year`s World Cup finals in this region. Mexico achieved its 12th World Cup appearance, and took a 25th berth for next year`s World Cup.

On the other hand, Honduras, which had tied with Mexico before the game, folded the hope for its 2nd World Cup appearance, ranking 4th place with 14 points.

This game was another war between `win-or-tie` Mexico and `must-win` Honduras.

Both teams has being playing a fierce game from start to finish, as one player for each team was thrown out of the game in 29th minute of the second half. But the game ended in the victory of Mexico, supported by 110,000 home fans` fervent cheers.

In this game, Blanco was a main figure who led Mexico`s victory. Having suffered from the harsh offense of Honduras players, Mexico began to take the initiative as it dominated the midfield in the second half, which continued to Blanco`s goal parade.

Blanco opened the scoring in the 20th minute of the second half by connecting a Rodriguez`s pass to a goal to right corner of the goal gate around the goal area. And he set up the second for Juan Francisco Palencia in the 26th minute. In the 33rd minute, Blanco converted a penalty given by opponent Valladares`s foul to complete a game. With two goals in this game, Blanco recorded total 9 goals in the regional qualifiers.

yjongk@donga.com