Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 7y

Marquez hails Mexico's 'four important points' in World Cup qualifiers

PANAMA CITY -- Four points from a possible six represents an excellent return for Mexico in the early stages of the hexagonal phase of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, according to El Tri captain Rafa Marquez.

"It's a positive balance," Marquez said after Mexico's 0-0 draw against Panama on Wednesday. "They are four important points on a difficult pitch against an uncomfortable opponent."

Panama had the better of the chances against Mexico in Estadio Rommel Fernandez in a game punctuated regularly by fouls and which lacked fluency on a rain-soaked surface.

"It is difficult to play our style on such a fast, slippery and uneven pitch," lamented Marquez. "In the end, the draw is good for us."

Marquez was the hero for Mexico against the United States last Friday, when he scored the winner in El Tri's 2-1 victory and goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa stressed that Mexico can be satisfied with their work over the last few days.

"They were two away games that historically have been complicated and difficult to get points out of," said Ochoa after the match, adding that Mexico now needs to pick up points at home.

"We realized in the last qualifying how important winning at home is and if we do it well and keep going like we are, we'll be close to the World Cup," stated the Granada player.

For Eintracht Frankfurt's Marco Fabian, the positive start has given the team confidence, especially after El Tri almost failed to make Brazil 2014.

"To begin with four points and not losing is very good and different to last time," said Fabian. "It gives us confident moving forward."

Mexico's next World Cup qualifying game is against Costa Rica in March in the Estadio Azteca.

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