Want to hear what relief actually sounds like then listen to this piece of commentary (I urge you to as a matter of urgency):
Last month, I looked at the reasons why Mexico were struggling in a mediocre World Cup qualifying group despite the talent at their disposal.
But there was always a feeling that they would get things right and qualify in their last three games.
Only they did not and required two injury time goals from bitter rivals USA against Panama to even scrape into a playoff against New Zealand. So the ecstasy of the Mexican commentators and their "USA, we love you forever and ever" is totally understandable.
Last night Off The Ball took a look at the "odd situation" in CONCACAF and how Mexico got into this predicament.
New York Times football writer Jack Bell was on the line and he broke the it down:
"Ger, they've been terrible," admitted Bell. "They've won just two games (from ten) and scored seven goals. Really they backed into it in the worst possible fashion. Mexico now have to play New Zealand home and away and that's no slam dunk for them either. They really have been pitiful and have been through three coaches. The Mexican people are really upset with their players and see them as spoiled millionaires playing abroad. Mexico really dodged one."
But this is a team that has won global youth tournament and last year's Olympic Football tournament. That's what makes this situation so loco, to borrow some Spanish parlance. But the reason for their sudden decline is inexplicable according to Bell.
But he did explain why the USA, who had already qualified, might benefit from their rally late against Panama which inadvertently rescued bitter rivals Mexico from the ignominy of not qualifying.
"Everybody in their right mind would love to see the mighty Mexicans knocked out. But remember that Mexico is a huge draw in the USA. Mexico has a marketing deal with the marketing arm of Major League Soccer to promote their games in the United States. By some estimates, Mexico not qualifying for the World Cup would have cost $600 million in terms of these sponsorship deals," explained Bell.
Everyone's a winner it seems...except Panama who have never qualified for the World Cup.
