Both goalkeepers have fought and trained hard to become Mexico’s main goalkeeper, while Ochoa gave a great performance against Nigeria, Jesus Corona watched carefully. Ochoa doesn’t want Brazil 2014 to be his third World Cup as a bench warmer, while Corona could careless what Ochoa wants. This is just another episode in the eternal battle.
It all started in 2004 in Athens, Greece when La Volpe made Corona the main goalkeeper in the Olympics. At the 2006 World Cup, hosted in Germany, Ochoa and Corona demonstrated that they had capacity and were able to defend Mexico’s goal posts but La Volpe decide to take the Veteran Oswaldo Sanchez; Chuy and Memo had to share the bench together.
2007 was a back and forth battle between the two goalkeepers. Their first battle became in the Gold Cup. Ochoa played the first game of the tournament against Cuba, but it was Corona who disputed the rest of the tournament. However, the former America’s goalkeeper was the main goalkeeper in Copa America of that same year. At the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa, Ochoa was the main goalkeeper in all elimination matches, defeating Corona in the battle, who wasn’t in that competition. Despite all of that, it was Oscar Perez who end up getting the main spot in the tournament.
In 2011, the battle to be Mexico’s main goalkeeper was intense. Corona had an impressive campaign during the Pan American Games, it was likely he would’ve gotten the position in the Gold Cup, but he was punished for hitting Morelia’s physical trainer Sergio Martin with the head. Corona’s discipline problems gave Ochoa a clear road to become Mexico’s defender but he only disputed one game for he was suspended for being positive in a drug test and his spot was given to Talavera.
Corona would get his revenge in 2012 where Mexico disputed the Olympic Games in London. Corona was elected to reinforce Mexico’s Olympic team where he won the gold medal. One of the most recent battles was in the Confederation Cup. Where Corona won the main spot in two games. For the last match against Japan Ochoa gain Corona’s Spot.
Ten years have passed and both are engaged in a sports battle. With days just before Brazil 2014, the coin is up in the air. Who will be the main goalkeeper? Will it be Corona or Ochoa?
