'Mexico (U-22) will not be an easy rival in Copa America’

MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Luis Fernando Tena, coach of the Mexican U-22 team, which will play in the Copa America 2011, is against the views that believe his team, formed by young players, will be an easy opponent in the tournament to be held between July 1st and 24th , in Argentina.

"What they think in South America is that we will not be a difficult team to beat. They think that the match against Mexico will be easy, but we’ll surprise them because we believe in ourselves, in spite of them not believing in us," said Tena, in a news conference one day before traveling to the south, where his team will perform the last step of its preparation.

The Mexicans, who will be reinforced by five players over 22 years, have scheduled friendly matches against Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia.

Days ago, the young Aztecs lost by 3-0 against Venezuela and tied 2-2 with Independiente Medellin.
In the Copa America, Mexico is in Group C, and will face Uruguay, Chile and Peru, teams which Tena claims to have analyzed in details.

"The team I’ve been following more is Chile. I know, Claudio Borghi. I have already faced him. They respect the parameters left by Marcelo Bielsa. We know it is a team that likes to attack,"noted the coach.

About Uruguay, the Mexico coach highlighted his forwards: Edinson Cavani, Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan. "They are three great players who attack, with the Charrúa strength, and they played well with their teams this season."

Tena also made a reference to Peru, commanded by Sergio Markarian, who has been coach of Cruz Azul, from Mexico, in 2008. "It's a team with strength, with defenders who play closed, it’s hard to get in."

Finally, the Mexican Football Federation announced that the defender Héctor Reynoso, of Gudalajara, will be incorporated into the group, replacing Jonny Magallón, who left a few days ago because of an injury.

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