Pekerman salutes both teams after classic

LEIPZIG, June 25: Argentina coach Jose Pekerman said their familiarity with Mexico helped serve up the World Cup second-round classic they won 2-1 in extra time.

''It was a very interesting and difficult match and it's because of that that it went to extra time,'' said Pekerman.

''Argentina were valid winners. The two teams know each other very well and that's why they cancel each other out.'' He continued: ''It was tough because of the merit of our rivals.

During our best moments we weren't able to score a goal (to settle the game) and that's something we must correct.

''We got a bit individualistic in some movements and didn't chose the right pass. Mexico are always hard to beat but Argentina tend to win ...'' Argentina, world champions in 1978 and 1986, had to fight all the way against Mexico who took an early lead through Rafael Marquez before an own goal from Jared Borgetti and a superb 98th minute volley by Maxi Rodriguez settled it for Argentina.

Rodriguez told reporters: ''It was a very hard fought match, we both tried to play football. It was end to end and we couldn't find the clarity to settle the match. Then it came with a shot (his) from outside the area.'' Argentina now play Germany in the quarter-finals in Berlin on Friday with the teams having met in the 1986 and 1990 finals -- Argentina won the first showdown and West Germany the second.

Turning to playing the hosts, Pekerman added: ''It's a match that is much anticipated because they are two big teams in football history who have been world champions on different occasions.'' Germany sealed their spot in the last eight with an impressive 2-0 win over Sweden in Munich earlier.

Mexico's captain Marquez said it had taken a moment of magic from Rodriguez to eliminate his brave side at the second-round stage for the fourth World Cup running.

''A great goal by (Argentina) is what eliminated us,'' he said.

''The (Mexico) team has worked very well all this time and played a good match today against a team that everyone thought would run over us.

''On the contrary, we were perhaps the better team, maybe we didn't deserve this but football is like that ... The team that scores the goals wins.''

REUTERS

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