Marquez wins 100th cap in Mexico win
Reuters - Sunday 27 March 2011, 01:17
OAKLAND - Striker
Javier Hernandez scored twice as Mexico, with Rafael
Marquez winning his 100th cap, beat Paraguay 3-1 in a friendly
at the Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday.
It was Mexico's second win in as many matches under new
coach Jose Manuel de la Torre, whose team beat Bosnia 2-0 last
month.
Andres Guardado scored the other goal in California as
Mexico beat their South American opponents for the second time
in a row after a 6-0 rout at the 2007 Copa America in Venezuela.
All three of Mexico's goals were scored in the first half
with "Chicharito" Hernandez opening his account with a header in
the seventh minute from midfielder Pablo Barrera's right cross.
Guardado then took a pass from captain Marquez - who was
given a statuette and a Mexico shirt with the number 100 on the
back in a ceremony before kick-off - and scored with a fierce
left-footed drive in the 28th minute.
Hernandez found the net again in the 34th after a one-two
with midfielder Gerardo Torrado.
Midfielder Christian Riveros scored a consolation goal for
2010 World Cup quarter-finalists Paraguay in the 87th minute
from substitute Hernan Perez's cross.
Mexico are preparing to defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup title
in the United States in June, while Paraguay will play the Copa
America in Argentina in July.