Football
ESPN staff 10y

Mexico to leave 'Chicharito' on bench

El Tri coach Miguel Herrera will leave forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez on the bench for their first World Cup game against Cameroon on Friday, while he is scheduled to start Guillermo Ochoa in goal, sources told ESPN Deportes.

Ochoa, former goalkeeper for Ajaccio, is set to debut vs. Cameroon, while Giovani dos Santos and Oribe Peralta are likely to get Herrera's nod at forward.

Hernandez called Cameroon an improved team and said he anticipated they would be a tough rival. He added that he is ready for whatever role Herrera gives him.

"The thing is, I don't feel myself to be a starting player but as well I don't feel like to be a substitute," Hernandez told ESPN's John Sutcliffe. "I am a player that shows that he wants to play as many minutes as possible and that this player has a lot of hunger to be here."

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