Mixed feelings from local fans

Manchester United's Javier Hernandez. Photo / AP

The All Whites won't have to deal with Manchester United star Javier Hernandez today - but the reason for his absence is far more complicated than meets the eye.

It cuts to the heart of the complex beast that is Mexican soccer, something that is hard to comprehend from the perspective of our sporting landscape.

Like most, the All Whites were surprised when Mexican coach Miguel Herrera left out his European-based stars, including Hernandez and Giovanni Dos Santos (Villarreal), who have caused major problems for the New Zealand team in the past.

The official explanation was put down to air miles, with Herrera apparently concerned that the players would be tired from the trip across the Atlantic, followed by the long flight to New Zealand.

But that is only half the story.

"The supposed reason was physical," says leading Mexican soccer journalist Martin De Palacio.

"But I believe the real reason was down to media and public pressure. The Mexican press blamed the foreign [based] players for all our defeats and bad performances and something had to give."

De Palacio says the public here couldn't stomach any more setbacks and needed a fresh start.

Mexican soccer is a vast network of interrelated entities. Televisa, the world's biggest Spanish-language media company, owns Mexico's biggest club side, America. It also owns the Azteca Stadium, where both the national team and America play. And Herrera was coach of America; now he is running the national team and it is chock full of America players.

Coincidence? Not likely.

Meanwhile, locals are still coming to grips with the predicament that the team has found itself in. Many refuse to forgive, and can't forget the string of awful results this year.

"I would like New Zealand to win tomorrow," said one fan. "Mexico doesn't deserve to be at the World Cup - we had to be saved by the USA ... The only way to fix the problems of the federation and the team is a shock - like missing Brazil."

Others maintain the faith, but are apprehensive. They know they should account for New Zealand but have been let down so often this year that hope begins to hurt.

Still the pure passion remained undiminished. Today is a working day but 105,000 residents will be inside the Azteca Stadium. Thousands more will be outside and millions huddled around TV screens.

The All Whites were plastered across newspapers yesterday and today with headlines proclaiming "The Kiwis have arrived" and "New Zealand is here - ready for altitude, smog and a hostile atmosphere". The match was also the prime topic across Mexico's many TV channels.