Mexico to Get Sanchez Back in Germany
Oswaldo Sanchez, Mexico’s starting goalkeeper, was on his way back to Germany on Friday, returning to his World Cup team from Guadalajara after the death of his father earlier this week.
Sanchez had boarded a private jet at about 1 p.m. Friday in Mexico, his club team, CD Guadalajara, reported through Chivas USA, its Major League Soccer affiliate.
Sanchez returned home after his father, Felipe, died of a heart attack Wednesday. Sanchez arrived in time Thursday to attend the funeral.
“He wanted to go to say goodbye to his father, but he also wanted to return Saturday and, if possible, to play,” said Milton Graniolatti, Mexico’s trainer.
Sanchez was expected back in Nuremberg this morning in plenty of time for Mexico’s opening game there against Iran on Sunday, but his status for the Group D match is uncertain until team officials assess his physical and mental condition.
If the decision is left to him, Sanchez says he will play.
“I don’t want to let down my teammates, the fans and, more than anything, my father, who would have wanted me to play,” Sanchez said in Spanish in a statement issued by Chivas Guadalajara. “The ultimate decision will be made by the coach, but if it’s in my hands, I will play Sunday.”
Sanchez, who returned to Germany with his wife, mother, brothers, in-laws and Mexico assistant coach Jorge Campos, will have flown across the Atlantic twice in three days. “It is very important that he arrive rested and ready for the game,” Graniolatti said.
Sanchez, 32, has never played in a World Cup game. He was a backup for the Mexican team at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan and was very much looking forward to his chance in Germany.
“Life goes on, and I know my father will be supporting me from heaven, helping me stop balls,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez played a key role during qualifying for the 2006 tournament, leading Mexico to a 10-1-1 record in games in which he started in goal, including a 2-1 victory over the United States team at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City in March 2005.
Should Sanchez sit out Sunday’s match, Mexico would have to turn to an inexperienced backup, either Jesus Corona or Guillermo Ochoa. Corona has only six games of international experience, and third-stringer Ochoa has played only one half of an international match.
At the Mexican team’s training session Friday in Goettingen, about two dozen fans took up repeated chants of “OS-WAL-DO!” They also chanted Corona’s name, but only briefly.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
