Mexico's keeper conundrum

Jose de Jesus Corona will take no pleasure from replacing Mexico’s number one goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez in Sunday’s World Cup opener against Iran.

Understudy Corona is favourite to fill in should Sanchez decide to remain in Mexico after flying home following the death of his father.

The Mexican Football Federation gave permission for Sanchez to travel and will support him if he wishes to stay with his family in Guadalajara but Corona is reluctant to step in in such circumstances.

“I do not want to take advantage of Oswaldo,” he said. I am under coach’s consideration, but I do not want to say anything yet.

“We are hoping Oswaldo arrives. He is a strong man and we know he will play on Sunday. I am ready to play, but I want him here.”

Sanchez has been offered the use of a private jet by the Mexican Premier Division’s directors should he opt to return to Germany before Sunday.

The death of his father has hit the keeper hard but he is determined to honour his memory.

“My father did not want to see us sad,” Sanchez said. “He was my idol, although I never said it. He will help us (the family).”

The third goalkeeper in Mexico’s squad is Guillermo Ochoa.

Meanwhile, experienced Iran midfielder Mehdi Mahdavikia admits Portugal and Mexico present daunting opposition but insists his side have their sights set on reaching the second round.

The 28-year-old is one of three players in the Iran squad to have won Asia’s Player of the Year and his experience, including an appearance at the 1998 World Cup, will be invaluable.

Mahdavikia said: “We have a very strong team, a mixture of younger players and more experienced players.

“It is a very difficult group with Mexico and Portugal as our opponents.

“Both teams are currently among the best teams in the world, but we will try to take our chances and our big goal is to reach the second round. That will not be easy but we will give everything.”

Mahdavikia has a strong international pedigree and was included in the team of the tournament in France 98, during which he scored in Iran’s 2-1 win over the United States.

He has played at Hamburg since 1999 and believes the presence of many Iranian players in the Bundesliga will benefit the national team.

“It is a big advantage for us that we have many players playing in Germany. To me Germany is like a second home country.

“We will try to get our experience into our team and to help the younger players.”