Hosts Mexico face South Africa under pressure to deliver in World Cup opener

MEXICO CITY: (Jun 11) Mexico usually hits a wall when it plays on the opening day of the World Cup.

Of the seven previous occurrences, El Tri’s record is five losses and two draws. Mexico gets another shot Thursday when it hosts South Africa to kick off the 48-team tournament.

“We must break that trend,” coach Javier Aguirre told a news conference on Wednesday at the Azteca stadium.