Mexico's Borgetti to miss Portugal clash

Mexico’s Borgetti to miss Portugal clash   

 

Associated Press

 

GOETTINGEN, Germany -- Jared Borgetti will miss Mexico`s Group D finale against Portugal on Wednesday with a torn left thigh muscle, though the team hopes to have him back if it qualifies for the World Cup`s second round.

 

Borgetti missed El Tri`s scoreless draw with Angola on Friday, and trainer Milton Graniolatti said Monday that the injury had not healed enough.

 

"He cannot play for this game against Portugal," Graniolatti said after the team`s midday training session. "But there`s hope he will play in the next game."

 

Borgetti, who underwent a second MRI examination on Monday, did not attend the practice session. He did some light jogging in Sunday`s training but did not take part in scrimmages or drills.

 

The 33-year-old Bolton striker, whose 38 career international goals lead El Tri, was hurt while chasing down a loose ball early in the second half of Mexico`s 3-1 win over Iran on June 11.

 

Two other key players are also nursing minor injuries, but team physician Dr. Jose Luis Serrano said both should be ready to play against Portugal.

 

Defender Rafael Marquez, Mexico`s captain, had muscle spasms in his right thigh against Angola, and attacking midfielder Antonio Naelson - better known as Zinha - banged up his right knee in a collision during the game.

 

Marquez was also hampered a bit by fatigue, Serrano said, after going straight from FC Barcelona`s Champions League-winning campaign into preparations for the World Cup.

 

Mexico goes into Wednesday`s game with four points, second in Group D. Portugal, the group leader with six points, has beaten Angola 1-0 and Iran 2-0. Mexico could win the group by beating Portugal and would advance to the second round - against either Argentina or Holland - with a draw.

 

If Portugal wins, Mexico would still advance if Iran wins or draws against Angola. But if the Black Antelopes upset the Asian team for their first World Cup victory, they would move into a second-place tie with Mexico.

 

The first tiebreaker is goal differential, where Mexico now holds a three-goal advantage.