Mexico's Coach Miguel Herrera Boasts Of Cutting Neymar Out

Mexico's coach Miguel Herrera says that his El tricolor side will not give Brazillian wonder boy Neymar space at the World Cup when the two play each other come June 17.

In an interview published on FIFA's website, the current coach of the Mexican team said: ''There’s no question we perform better against stronger teams – that’s always been the case with us.

When Mexico face up to Brazil of course they're really up for it, they look to put in a big performance.

''We generally play good football against Brazil. We mustn't forget that we’re going to be taking on the host nation, historically the competition’s strongest side, but we have to give it absolutely everything. Beating Brazil in Brazil would get us noticed and make us feel on top of the world. That’s the way we need to approach this.''

Mexico's qualification for Brazil was marred with series of challenges and sackings of coaches before current coach Herrera was employed and kept as the World Cup coach: Mexico needed a play-off against New Zealand to finally secure their ticket to the mundial.

''When asked about the extra jolt for his team, he said: “our hard work and determination. We’re going to fight for and try to win every loose ball. I’m also certain we’ll cover a lot more ground than them, because if we want to win we’ll have to run our socks off.

''They’re a team that knows what to do with the ball, featuring players who can turn a game in an instant and can easily beat one or two men.

''There’s Neymar and Hulk, while I could list four, five or even six of their players who are all capable of tipping the balance. But if we can manage to double up on them in most areas of the pitch and prevent them running with the ball too much, I think we can be solid enough to then try and score ourselves.

''All the games we've played against them that I’ve been involved with or watched have been positive for Mexico.''

Herrera considers Neymar as the biggest threat for the Mexican team, according to him: ''He's Brazil's most gifted player. He’s the figurehead of this team and currently of this World Cup, as it’s on home soil. They love him here. We’ll have to be really on our toes to stop a player of his ability.

How he intends to stop the most gifted player of the Selecaos; he says: ''By trying to stop him receiving the ball, that’s the best way. Once he’s got the ball he’s a guy who can tip the balance – he’s got so much skill he can beat one, two or even three players. We have to try and cut off the service: stopping him getting on the ball will be really important.''

The two teams met at the Final of the London 2012 and Herrera was in charge of the team, he intends to use the same method which he says worked fine for Mexico.

''We’re going to try and cut off the service like on that day. Neymar didn’t see much of the ball and that’s how Mexico won the game. We’ll try something very similar.

''Given that this time we’re facing the senior Brazil side there’ll be even more quality players, but there’s no doubt we’ll keep a watchful eye on preventing Neymar linking up with his team-mates and vice-versa. Miguel concluded.

Herrera revealed his thoughts from a manager's perspective on his team's chances in the Group A and their game against Brazil in the interview with FIFA.