Mexico wins 1st leg unimpressively , 2-0

[TheGift]

HOUSTON (AP)—Mexico opened World Cup qualifying with a 2-0 win over lowly Belize on Sunday, a result that won’t please fans of El Tri.

Carlos Vela scored from 2 yards off a deflection of a missed shot by Luis Perez in the 66th minute and Jared Borgetti converted a penalty kick during injury time.

“This wasn’t quite what people expected,” Mexico defender Carlos Salcido said. “I know (the fans) wanted five or six goals. But they played very well in back and the important thing is we met our objective of winning.

Mexico is the top-ranked team in the North and Central American and Caribbean region and No. 14 in the world. Belize is No. 172.

“I was pleased with our effort,” Belize coach Ian Mork said. “It was outstanding, unbelievable. They gave their heart and soul against one of the best teams in the world. They never gave up.”

The second game of the two-game aggregate series will be played in Monterrey, Mexico, on Saturday.

“The match went the way we expected,” said Mexico coach Jesus Ramirez, who will be replaced by Sven-Goran Eriksson after next weekend’s match. “Belize played real defensively and was just waiting on us to counter. That’s typically how World Cup matches are played.”

Belize goalkeeper Shane Orio blocked three shots the first 25 minutes, including a leaping block of a power shot up the middle by Andres Guardado. Orio also stopped a close-in shot from the right side by Fernando Arce in the 39th minute and ended with seven saves for the game.

“On their first goal I was kind of disappointed,” Orio said. “I got my hand on the ball. I should have tried to push it harder.”

Mexico outshot Belize 21-3 but failed to convert most of its chances.

“We switched things up in he second half,” Ramirez said. “We changed things in he midfield to be able to attack more. We still should have had more scoring opportunities. Butt we’re not unhappy. It was a combination of our play and their play and it was tough for us the way they played back. But again, it doesn’t matter how many opportunities we missed because the important thing is we won.”

Belize, in the second round of qualifying for the first time, got a dramatic save in the 71st minute when Orio was taken out of the play and Trevor Lennen cleared the ball off the line.

Mexico defeats Belize 2-0 - World Soccer - Yahoo! Sports

[TheGift]

Highlights: YouTube - Mexico 2-0 Belice