Sport - Football

Torrado nets Mexico's winner

Mexico's Gerardo Torrado (left) is chased by teammates Jared Borgetti (centre) and Joahan Rodriguez after scoring his team's second goal against Ecuador in their Group G match at the Miyagi Comprehensive Athletic Park Stadium in Rifu, Japan on Sunday. — AP

MIYAGI (Japan) June 9. Gerardo Torrado scored the game-winning goal in the 57th minute Sunday as Mexico rallied from a one-goal deficit to defeat Ecuador 2-1 in Group G of the World Cup.

Torrado and Jared Borgetti scored a goal apiece as Mexico closed in on a second-round berth. The win lifted the Mexicans to sole possession of the group lead with six points. Italy and Croatia trail with three points each. Mexico would advance with at least a draw in its final group match against Italy.

``We're just happy that our chances of advancing now depend on us,'' said Mexico coach Javier Aguirre. ``This was an even match and either team could have won.''

Mexico's come-from-behind win spoiled a promising start for the Ecuadorians, World Cup debutantes who finished second in South American qualifying behind Argentina.

Southampton striker Agustin Delgado scored Ecuador's first goal in the World Cup finals in the 5th minute, heading home a cross from Ulysses de la Cruz. But he blamed himself and the whole side for the loss.

``We lacked the love, sacrifice and strength that we needed to get the win,'' he said, partially accepting blame for his team's performance. ``When you're winning, you have to keep fighting and we didn't do that.''

Mexico regrouped after the goal and asserted itself in the midfield and overwhelmingly controlled possession.

In the 28th minute, Borgetti equalized after one-touching a Ramon Morales pass and Mexico gained steam after that.

The Mexicans continued to press in the second half, looking for Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Torrado.

Torrado finally had his chance in the 57th when he blasted home a soft pass from Joahan Rodriguez just outside the box.

Looking to counter Mexico's dominance in the midfield, Ecuador coach Hernan Dario Gomez brought on Alex Aguinaga as a second-half substitute. Striker Ivan Kaviedes had replaced him in the starting lineup. Aguinaga had suffered a muscle injury during the team's opening match, a 2-0 loss to Italy on Monday.

Both teams had good scoring opportunities in the closing minutes as play opened up.

Borgetti quickly turned on his defender and his right-footed shot hit the post in the 70th minute.

Ecuador's Carlos Tenorio and Delgado remained threats, and a Tenoria blast just sailed wide in the 81st minute. The World Cup debutantes had another chance to equalize in the 87th when Aguinaga found Ayovi, whose shot just sailed wide.

Ecuador coach Gomez admitted his team lacked experience but called the match ``equal.''

``They (Ecuador players) are new to this and so maybe it's partially a lack of attitude and personality. It's the first time they have competed at this level.''

It was the first time the Mexicans have opened World Cup finals play with two consecutive victories.

Mexico is competing its 12th World Cup and has reached the second round every time but once since 1978. The CONCACAF team has reached the quarterfinals twice, both times as hosts in 1970 and 1986.

The two teams have played each other 10 times, but Ecuador has only managed one win — a 1-0 victory in a 1996 friendly.

Ecuador 1 Mexico 2

Agustin Delgado 1; Jared Borgetti1, Gerardo Torrado 1

The teams: Mexico: 1-Oscar Perez, 4-Rafael Marquez (c), 5-Manuel Vidrio,6-Gerardo Torrado, 7-Ramon Morales, 9-Jared Borgetti (Luis Hernandez, 15), 10-Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 11- Braulio Luna, 16-Salvador Carmona, 18-Johan Rodriguez, 21-Jersus Arellano.

Ecuador: 1-Jose Cevallos, 2-Augusto Poroso, 3-Ivan Hurtado (c), 4-Ulises De la Cruz, 5-Alfonso Obregon (Alex Aguinaga, 58), 6-Raul Guerron, 9-Ivan Kaviedes (Carlos Tenorio, 53), 11-Agustin Delgado, 16-Clever Chala, 19-Edison Mendez, 20-Edwin Tenorio (Marlon Ayovi, 35).

Referee: Mourad Daami (Tunisia).

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