Ochoa, Perez battling to start World Cup opener for Mexico
Mexico's goalkeepers Guillermo Ochoa and Oscar Perez are battling to start the World Cup opener against South Africa on Friday.
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Although coach Javier Aguirre said he knows who will be in his starting lineup, he kept it as a secret with reporters.
Ochoa, 24, has been the starter since Aguirre took over the team 14 months ago after Sven-Goran Eriksson was fired. But in two recent friendlies against England and Italy, the 37-year-old Perez was in goal.
"I have never lost hope," said Perez, who started for Mexico at the 2002 World Cup when Aguirre was also the coach. "I came to the team with the hope of being able to play in the World Cup."
Perez was also a backup in Mexico's 1998 World Cup team.
Ochoa, who was a reserve in the 2006 squad, has played less in the last few friendlies with Perez getting more playing time.
"These are decisions for the coach," Ochoa said.
stootle "One never knows who is going to play. You don't know until the lineups come out that day."
