HANOVER, Germany, June 25 (Reuters) - Captain Rafael Marquez will make a welcome return on Sunday when Mexico, shaken by a doping case involving two of their players, face Argentina in Hanover for a place in the Confederations Cup final.
World soccer’s governing body FIFA says it has been informed by Mexico that Aaron Galindo and Salvador Carmona were sent home earlier this week after testing positive in doping controls that took place before the start of the tournament.
The absence of the Cruz Azul duo deprives Mexico of two more defenders when they battle a powerful Argentina side for the right to take on hosts Germany or Brazil. Argentina scored eight goals in three matches to finish runners-up to Germany in Group A. The good news for Mexico’s Argentine coach Ricardo La Volpe will come in the return of Marquez to the starting line-up, after the centre-back came safely through a 17-minute run-out at the end of Wednesday’s goalless draw with Greece.
Mexico conceded one goal in three Group B games, beating Japan and Brazil before drawing with Greece as they extended their unbeaten run to 20 games.
Mexico go into the game both relived, if embarrassed, and possibly distracted following Fifa’s decision to let their Confederations Cup results stand despite the expulsion of two of their players for presumed doping. Aaron Galindo and Salvador Carmona were sent home on Wednesday after the pair had tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone before the competition started. The Mexican camp initially said Galindo and Carmona had been expelled for indiscipline rather than doping.
Both played in Mexico’s 2-1 win against Japan and 1-0 victory over Brazil, raising concerns that Japan, who are back home after finishing third in Group
Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela: Latin America Local Bond Preview
The following events and economic reports may influence trading in Latin American local-currency bonds today. Bond yields are from the previous session.
Argentina {ARGENT }: Argentina's central bank plans to step up oversight over foreign-exchange trading, seeking to block bond trades that are used to make illegal foreign- currency transfers, the bank said in an e-mailed statement yesterday. The bank said it had detected alleged violations of exchange control regulations through simultaneous purchases and sales of bonds in Argentina and abroad. Analysts such as Rafael Ber at Argentine Research say the
Mexico, Brazil, Argentina: Latin America Local Bond Preview
The following events and economic reports may influence trading in Latin American local-currency bonds today. Bond yields are from the previous session.
Argentina {ARGENT }: Argentina's tax collection rose 41 percent to 11.3 billion pesos in December, led by a surge in income tax revenue, Economy Minister Felisa Miceli said yesterday. Tax revenue rose more than 20 percent to 119.2 billion pesos in all of 2005, she said.
The yield on Argentina's 5.83 percent bond maturing in 2033 was unchanged at 6.28 percent, according to Banco Mariva in Buenos Aires. {ARARGE03E121
Mexico-Venez Scrap Still Smoldering
Venezuelan Minister for Foreign Trade and Integration, Gustavo Marquez, warned of sectors in Mexico trying to subvert relations between the two countries.
Marquez said their goal is to profit from the frictions generated at the recent 4th Summit of the Americas, adding that Mexican Ex Foreign Minister Jorge Castaneda is leading this anti-Venezuela drive.
The Mexican Foreign Ministry issued Monday a release threatening to withdraw its ambassador from Caracas if Venezuelan does not apologize officially as of November 14.
The frictions began with criticism from Mexican President Vicente Fox of Presidents Hugo Chavez and Nestor Kirchner (Argentina) when they
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006
Borgetti, Marquez to play for Mexico against United States in World Cup qualifier
Jared Borgetti is expected to lead the attack when Mexico faces the United States in a World Cup qualifying match.
The Bolton striker was picked by Mexico coach Ricardo Lavolpe for the match in Columbus, Ohio, on Sept. 3, the Mexican Soccer Federation said Saturday.
FC Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez was also chosen.
Mexico leads the final round of CONCACAF qualifying with 16 points from six matches, followed by the United States with 15 points. The top three teams in the six-team group qualify for the 2006 World
Mexico: Relations With Argentina 'Splendid' Despite Spat
Verbal sparring between the presidents of Mexico and Argentina has not damaged diplomatic relations between the two nations, which remain "splendid," a top Mexican official said Wednesday.
Ruben Aguilar, chief spokesman for Mexican President Vicente Fox, said Mexico never considered severing diplomatic relations with Argentina - even though Fox was irked by the behavior of his Argentine counterpart, Nestor Kirchner, during the Americas Summit in the Argentine resort city of Mar del Plata last week.
"The relations between the two countries are splendid," Aguilar told a news conference.
Earlier this week, Fox said that
LEIPZIG, GERMANY - The Confederations Cup was supposed to be about the haves and have-nots of world soccer, with Brazil, Argentina and Germany expected to dominate the eight-team championship.
Clearly, no one told Mexico.
"We reckon it's time the world sat up and took notice of us," said Jared Borgetti, who scored on a header in Mexico's 1-0 victory over Brazil on Sunday. "We've proved Mexico can play good football."
The Tricolores look certain to qualify for the World Cup, but this competition has given Ricardo La Volpe's team a chance to make an impact one year earlier.
Mexico started with a 2-1 victory
Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru: Latin America Local Bond Preview
The following events and economic reports may influence trading in Latin American local-currency bonds today. Bond yields are from the previous session.
Argentina {ARGENT }: Argentina's currency weakened 0.2 percent, its fifth straight decline, to 3.06 pesos per U.S. dollar as Argentines traveling abroad during the summer months buy foreign currency.
The yield on Argentina's 5.83 percent bond maturing in 2033 remained unchanged at 6.19 percent, according to Banco Mariva in Buenos Aires. {ARARGE03E121 DES }.
Brazil {BLTN }: Brazil's real rose for a second day on speculation companies
World Cup qualifiers: Mexico books berth, England loses
Mexico qualified for the World Cup by crushing nine-man Panama 5-0 at the Azteca Stadium.
Luis Perez, Rafael Marquez, Jared Borgetti, Francisco Fonseca and captain Pavel Pardo shared the goals on Wednesday, As mexico booked their place in Germany with two games to spare, and became the ninth team to qualify.
Mexico went ahead on the half hour when striker Luis Perez collected a rebound on his chest and volleyed home from the edge of the area.
Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez increased Mexico's lead in the 54th minute when he headed in Pavel Pardo's free kick
