Mexico Draws Against a Cautious Bolivia

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One win, one draw, and one loss. Mexico’s tune up matches were anything but great as “El Tri” prepared for Copa America. The North American side that was a special invitee to the South American cup, failed to impress in their preparation matches. Mexico had a lot of work to do ahead of their first Copa America match on Friday night against Bolivia. Bolivia was also entering the match on a bad note after being picked apart by Argentina in a match that saw Bolivia lose five to nothing.
The match began with Mexico playing cautiously and seeing what they could get away with against the South American side. Jesus “El Tecatito” Corona was the most active in the first half for Mexico with a couple of individual plays that made Mexico seem dangerous. Bolivia played equally as cautious and made sure not to give Mexico any breathing room in their own half. They soon realized that Corona was the man they needed to contain and began to foul the FC Twente attacker tactically and repeatedly.
In the 14th minute, Bolivia had the first chance of the night. When Marcelo Martins received a ball from Danny Bejarano at the edge of the 6 yard box. His first time volley crashing again the left post of Jose De Jesus Corona’s goal before going back out and being cleared by a Mexican defender.
In the 25th minute, Gerardo Flores received a cross at the right side of Bolivia’s 18 yard box but his left footed shot only managed to make Bolivian goalkeeper Romel Quiñones go to ground for an easy save.
In the 42nd Bolivia’s Jhasmani Campos took a left footed shot from outside of Mexico’s 18 yard box that moved awkwardly in the air but was on target. Goalkeeper Corona was able to dive to his left and make a good save to keep the match level.
From the first half we saw Bolivia be more dangerous in their only two chances on goal while Mexico retained more ball possession and dictated the tempo of the match.  The score was 0 to 0 at half.
The only real play of danger in the second half came in the 67th minute Tecatito Corona put in a cross from the left side of the pitch. Raul  Jimenez met the ball with a headed shot that went just wide.
The second half of the match was as uneventful as the first. Mexico began moving the ball around much better and dominated the the second part. Bolivia was able to keep their defensive line together and keep Mexico from having more than a few real chances. The true challenges, however, have only just begun for both of these teams. Mexico will face the host nation Chile who won their first match  while Bolivia will face an Ecuador team that will undoubtedly be hungry for their first 3 points of the tournament.