(Sporting Alert) — Guillermo Ochoa starts in goal, while Javier Hernandez leads the attack and Mexico goes in search of a vital victory in their CONCACAF World Cup qualifier against Panama on Friday night.
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Ochoa, who last featured for Mexico against Japan at the Confederations Cup in Brazil in June, returns to start in goal as El Tri looks to stay in the hunt for a place at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
This means that Jose de Jesus Corona is drop to the bench, while defender Carlos Salcido, midfielder Gerardo Torrado and striker Aldo De Nigris are among the substitutes.
Manchester United forward Hernandez is leading the forward line tonight and he will link up with Oribe Peralta Morones as the hosts go in search of goals and points.
Also starting is Giovani Dos Santos, who is expected to be one of the main suppliers for the front two, while Jesús Zavala, Javier Carmona and Carlos Rodríguez all start in midfield as well.
Mexico is coming into the game on the back of back-to-back defeats to Honduras and USA in their last week qualifiers.
Panama also go in search over vital points and Gabriel Gómez, Anibal Godoy, Alberto Quintero and Amilcar Henriquez all start.
Mexico: Guillermo Ochoa; Hugo Ayala, Rafael Márquez, Miguel Layún, Jorge Torres, Giovani Dos Santos; Javier Aquino Carmona, Jesús Zavala, Carlos Rodríguez, Javier Hernández, Oribe Morones.
Subs: 15 Jose de Jesus Corona, Alfredo Talavera, Carlos Salcido, Severo Meza, Hiram Ricardo Mier Alanís, Christian Giménez, Gerardo Torrado, Raúl Jiménez, Angel Reyna Martinez, Lucas Lobos, Fernando Arce, Aldo De Nigris, Isaac Brizuela.
Panama: Jaime Penedo; Harold Cummings, Roman Torres, Luis Henriquez, Felipe Baloy; Gabriel Gómez, Marcos Sanchez Mullins, Anibal Godoy, Amilcar Henriquez; Blas Pérez, Alberto Quintero.
Referee: Joel Antonio Aquilar (El Salvador)
