Coach Luis Fernando Tena said on Friday that Mexico played with the mind but not with all the heart and enthusiasm, and that they were just lucky not receiving two goals from the South Africa in the 2010 World Cup opener.
Tena told local TV channel TDN that the Mexican team played defectively at the second half of the opening match, in which Mexico tied 1-1 with the hosts.
"The team started well, with personality, playing the ball and attacking. Perhaps we lacked deepness at the last, but we had the ball and all the fans were aware of that Mexico was fine," Tena said.
"A goal would have been really good to improve, ... but we took unnecessary risks, which later we paid them with the goal.
Referee Ravshan Irmatov of Uzbekistan (2nd L) shows the yellow card to Mexico's Efrain Juarez (1st L) during a group A match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup between South Africa and Mexico at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg, on June 11, 2010. The match ended with a 1-1 tie.
"When we lost the ball, only 'Maza' Rodriguez and Osorio remained and they were very exposed," he added.
Tena said the Mexican team was desperate.
"We have to control the emotions, because when we received a goal, the team lost shape, lost control and the rival grew, the people started yelling and we remained there," he said.
"The last five minutes were played in Mexico's side. They shot us three or four corners. South Africa had the control of the match, they grew.Mexico missed a lot of passes," Tena said.
This is the sixth time in a World Cup that Mexico ties 1-1.