CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Mexico national team coach Miguel Herrera is concerned that his side has not been getting key decisions from match officials so far this Gold Cup.
"After watching the videos [of Sunday's 0-0 tie against Guatemala], there were no cards [given by the ref] after eight or nine fouls," Herrera said during Tuesday's news conference ahead of Wednesday's Group C match against Trinidad-Tobago. "We now know how it will be."
Herrera said his team knew they'd be in for a difficult and often physical challenge this summer, but added that the referees need to clamp down.
"If they don't give you that handball [decision] against Guatemala, teams will start playing with two goalkeepers [against us]," Herrera added. "It was so clear."
Mexico is currently in second place in Group C and already qualified for the knockout stages. Herrera's team is two points points behind Trinidad-Tobago and Wednesday's result will decide who finishes top. If Mexico does win the game, it will take on Panama on Sunday in the quarterfinal.
Herrera didn't announce his team on Tuesday but said there will be at least one change due to Trinidad's different style compared to Guatemala and because he needs to see the evening training session before making his mind up.
He's not expecting as physical game as against Guatemala.
"Trinidad have tried to play, I've not seen them kicking people and I'm not sure whether they will close up or not," Herrera said.
Mexico left back Miguel Layun added that the team and the players knew El Tri would be targeted for rough treatment before the competition started and have to adapt.
"We knew the only chance Guatemala had was a 0-0," said the Watford player, who added later that he is focused on remaining at the Premier League club next season, when asked about rumored interest from Marseille.
Trinidad-Tobago coach Stephen Hart picked out Andres Guardado and Jonathan dos Santos as two of Mexico's best players so far this tournament and stated his team wouldn't be going out to be intentionally physical.
"Mexico are technically very good, its game is evasive, but because of the nature of the game it can get physical," Hart said, adding that his players carrying a yellow card [Daniel Cyrus, Radanfah Abu Bakr, Khaleem Hyland and Kenwyne Jones] may be rested with the Caribbean nation already through to the quarters, while Andre Boucaud is suspended.
Organizers confirmed over 45,000 tickets have been sold for the game at Bank of America Stadium, the home of NFL franchise Carolina Panthers.
