Carlos Vela
Vela - We will be nervous but we can win
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TALK
World Cup: Carlos Vela on Mexico - Part Two
5 mins 14 seconds
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By Chris Harris
Carlos Vela admits he will be nervous ahead of today's World Cup opener - but he expects Mexico to control their emotions and get off to a winning start.
The Arsenal striker is likely to line up against hosts South Africa for the tournament curtain-raiser in Johannesburg this afternoon and Mexico will start as favourites after impressive wins over Italy and Chile in their warm-up matches.
Vela scored against the world champions but he knows that Mexico face a tough task against a South Africa side which will have a whole country – not just the Soccer City crowd – right behind them.
"Yes, it will be very difficult," he told Arsenal TV Online. "We're up against the host nation, the crowd will be against us, it's the opening game of the World Cup, everyone will be watching as it's the first game and so it's an important game of course.
"For a lot of us, it's our first World Cup and so there will be a lot of nerves, which are still important for the game, but if we can control this and keep our emotions in check, we've got a chance. But playing in the opening game will be difficult.
"We have a difficult group because the first game is against the host nation and then comes France, one of the best teams in the world, and then Uruguay as well. These are three teams who we're going to have to work very hard to beat.
"But we've got a lot of confidence in our own ability and I think that we'll be up for the challenge."
Subscribers can now watch part two of our World Cup interview with Vela. He discusses:
- the opening fixture and Group A
- Mexico manager Javier Aguirre
- his scoring record at international level
- Mexico's team spirit
- his all-time World Cup hero
- what playing in the tournament means to him
[Friday, June 11, 2010]
