Watching from above

When the whistle blows for kick-off for the match between Mexico and Iran, Oswaldo Sanchez will be looking up to the sky for some divine blessings. His father died of a heart attack while preparing to make his trip to Germany. This keeper vowed that he will be back for their opening game before he made the trans-Atlantic flight.

It is still unclear as to whether Sanchez will be featured in Mexico’s encounter with Iran. But to the Iranians, it is clear that their mission is to qualify for the next stage of the competition. As for their opponents, according to coach Branko Ivankovic’s philosophy, he doesn’t want to think too much about them. He is more concern about playing their own game.