Tena wants the game with Mexico to help Guatemalan players emigrate

Mazatlan (Mexico), June 6. The Mexican Luis Fernando Tena, Guatemala coach, wished this Tuesday that the friendly duel that his team will hold next Wednesday against the Mexican team will serve so that some of his players have the opportunity to leave the local league.

“Our players boast of experiencing these games in a very special way, so hopefully one of these guys stays to play here in Mexico in a team; they really want to get out of the Guatemalan league and what better than to be here in Mexico,” Tena stressed at a press conference before the game.

Guatemala will face Mexico, which is led by the Argentine Diego Cocca, this Wednesday in the resort of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, which is located just over 1,000 kilometers northwest of Mexico City.

The game is part of the preparation of both teams for their next participation in the 2023 Gold Cup that will take place in the United States between June 24 and July 4.

Tena, who led Mexico to win the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, explained that this confrontation was not on their schedule, but given the quality of the rival they had to adjust their times.

“For us it is a very emotional game, it is different. We did not have a friendly planned on this date, but we are very grateful for the invitation because, being Mexico, of course we had to say yes and adapt our times to come,” he acknowledged.

Luis Fernando Tena has led the Guatemalan team since November 2021 in a process that aims to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“We have this illusion of going to a World Cup for the first time, especially now that we know that we have a great opportunity given the participation that Mexico, the United States and Canada will have. It is our great desire,” he said.

The other friendly duels that the Guatemalan team has scheduled prior to the Gold Cup will be against Trinidad and Tobago next Sunday; against Costa Rica, on June 15; and a clash with Venezuela on the 18th.

The team led by Luis Fernando Tena will debut in the Gold Cup on June 27 against Cuba, then they will face Canada on July 1 and close the first phase against an opponent yet to be defined on the 8th.

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