Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 7y

Mexico has weapons to beat Jamaica, reach Gold Cup final - Pompilio Paez

PHOENIX, Arizona -- Mexico assistant manager Pompilio Paez is confident El Tri learned from the 0-0 group stage draw against Jamaica and can get past the Caribbean side in Sunday's Gold Cup semifinal.

Mexico were criticised for the tie in Denver on July 13 against a Jamaica side that sat back and frustrated them.

"We already know Jamaica and know our players a lot better," said Paez, who was replacing suspended head coach Juan Carlos Osorio in the postgame news conference. "We respect the opponent, but we think we have the sufficient arms to defeat Jamaica and be in the final."

On Thursday Mexico defeated Honduras 1-0 in the quarterfinal at University of Phoenix Stadium in an improved display and Paez suggested that Osorio -- known for his rotations -- may not need to change the team much for Sunday's semi.

"To be able to get to the final, today's game was the most important," said Paez. "As I see it, I don't think this side deserves a lot of rotations."

Goalkeeper Jesus Corona was once again an important figure in Mexico's victory on Thursday and the Cruz Azul player said the pressure the team is under to win the competition is not unusual for El Tri.

"It's normal, you have to know how to manage and get better with it," he said after the game. "You can benefit in the individual and collective sense, lots of things can be said, but you can't lose sight of the objective."

Mexico travel to Los Angeles on Friday afternoon ahead of the match against Jamaica in the Rose Bowl.

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