Mexico striker Palacios not looking past US game

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
MEXICO’s goal-scoring machine Kiana Palacios, pictured, has her mind focused on the quarter-final match against the US on Friday at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby.
The 20-year-old, who has scored three goals so far in this global tournament, views this crucial match in their progress.
“We know that the US is a strong side and it won’t be easy for us so we will have to look at our previous group games and identify the weak areas before we take on the Amerians,” Palacios said.
“We know that we won’t have any chances again if we lose; it is a do-or-die match for us so we have to stay focused.”
Palacios, who played an important role by scoring two goals to keep their finals hopes alive in their 3-2 victory over fellow Latin Americans Venezuela on Monday, said they must not repeat the same lazy style of play which occurred in the second-half when they face the Americans.
“We knew the second-half against Venezuela wasn’t good and we are disappointed about that,” she said.
“We will have to make sure that does not happen again against the US because they are a quality side and they will punish us if we are not focused,” she said.
Coach Roberto Medina would not agree more.
“I was disappointed about the poor ball possession in the second-half against Venezuela but we will talk about it before we play the US on Friday,” Medina said.
Apart from knowing which areas to improve on, Medina applauded her girls for making it this far in the tournament.  “I am so proud of the effort by the girls in making it as far as the quarter finals,” Medina said.
“We have the potential to make it all the way.
“We know it won’t be easy but it’s the World Cup and we must not expect things to be easy. We will give our best.”
The quarterfinals is a far as Mexican teams have gone at this tournament and a win over the US will be a memorable on two fronts.