Mexico's national soccer team
clinched the gold medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games, because
the sport has matured in Mexico, the team coach Luis Fernando Tena
said Monday.
The victory has to do with how soccer is growing. The physical
and mental strength are growing and we insist that it's because the
clubs are working good," said Tena in a press conference after he
returned to Mexico from London.
Tena said that Mexican clubs are "working good in the junior
teams," and that is why the Mexican soccer team has won the U-17
World Championship in 2005 and 2011, and won the gold medal in the
2012 summer games with the U-23 team.
"Soccer is the most popular sport in Mexico and it had never
achieved a victory so relevant until last Saturday, when it defeated
Brazil 2-1 in the London 2012 Olympic Games' men's soccer final
match.
"We hope the Mexican soccer team's victory will be a good example
for the children and youngsters, who have seen Mexico win
championships lately," said Tena.
Tena, former coach of Mexican clubs Cruz Azul, Monarcas Morelia
and Club America, said he wasn't surprised by the success of his
players because "they believed in themselves thanks to the results
it obtained and because youth has a very good mental strength."
"The victory is a great joy, a great pride for being Mexican.
It's a great example to know that Mexicans are capable to win, if
and when we have decision and mental strength," he added.
