Soccer: Mexico face difficult choice for South Africa clash

JOHANNESBURG - Mexico's main doubt going into Friday's World Cup opener against host South Africa is the identity of its striker. Will it be veteran Guillermo Franco or youthful Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez?

Coach Javier Aguirre also seems to have unsettled questions in goal and midfield, but the striker spot is the one drawing most of the attention.

Franco scored in a 3-1 loss to England last month in a friendly. But he injured his right foot to open the door for the 22-year-old Hernandez, who scored three goals in Mexico's last three friendlies, against Gambia, Italy and the Netherlands.

Hernandez played his first match for Mexico only eight months ago, and his profile has soared since then. Playing for Guadalajara, he set a Mexican league record with eight goals in the first eight games of the season. He likely would have also won the league scoring title, but left the team early to train with the World Cup squad.

In April, he agreed to a deal to join Manchester United after the World Cup.

Hernandez is nicknamed "Chicharito" - which roughly means "little sweet pea" - because of his father, who is also named Javier Hernandez. His father also played in a Mexican World Cup team and was known as "Chicharo," or simply "sweet pea."

Hernandez's grandfather, Tomas Balcazar, played in Mexico's 1954 World Cup team.

Franco, 33, scored five goals last season with West Ham in the English Premier League. Known as "Guille," he played at the 2006 World Cup. But his foot injury against England has kept him sidelined until just a few days ago.

In goal, 37-year-old Oscar Perez is competing with Guillermo Ochoa, who is 13 years younger. In midfield, there is a battle for a starting place between Andres Guardado and Efrain Juarez. Perez and Juarez seem to have the edge.

If recent matches and practice are a guide, Aguirre is likely to use the following lineup against South Africa.

He will start Perez in goal with Ricardo Osorio, Francisco Rodriguez, Paul Aguilar and Carlos Salcido in defence. Rafael Marquez, Gerardo Torrado and Efrain Juarez will be in midfield. Up front, it will be Giovani Dos Santos, Carlos Vela and probably "Chicharito."

In 12 warmup matches prior to the World Cup, Mexico won eight, drew two and lost two.

- AP