INCIDENTS

PREVIEW

Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago LIVE. The sole leader of the final hexagonal of the Russia 2018 qualifiers, Mexico hopes to end a 13-year winless streak in Trinidad and Tobago when they visit the Caribbean team on Tuesday, who is uplifted by a victory against Panama that was not predicted.

► Mexico defeats Costa Rica 2-0 in the CONCACAF qualifiers

The Mexicans, the only undefeated team in the tournament that grants three direct spots to Russia 2018, are leaders with seven points, followed by Costa Rica with six, while Panama has four and behind them are the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Honduras, with three each.

Mexico, who recently defeated Costa Rica 2-0, had not led a final hexagonal of the CONCACAF since October 2005, when they achieved it under the command of Argentine coach Ricardo La Volpe, prior to the World Cup in Germany 2006.

► Mexico defeats the United States in their visit to the Final Hexagonal

"We defeated a great rival, Mexico won with authority, understanding that (Costa Rica) is a good team, well-formed, well-led. Now we are where I believe we deserve to be, and we are going to prepare ourselves to go for the other three points," said Mexican coach Juan Carlos Osorio.

In order to earn points in Trinidad and Tobago's home, Mexico will have to overcome multiple absences. Andrés Guardado and Rafael Márquez, who have alternated the captaincy of the team since the 2014 World Cup, are injured and will not be able to participate. Other players ruled out due to injury are Giovani Dos Santos, Jesús Corona, Hirving Lozano, Marco Fabián, and Jürgen Damm.

To make matters worse, Bayer Leverkusen forward Javier Hernández suffered a knock in the match against Costa Rica and is doubtful for the match against Trinidad and Tobago.

"We are happy to win the three points and to have won at home because it is something we set out from the beginning, always winning at home and showing our authority," said goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa. "We are happy because the team showed good football in a game that was not easy, now we are thinking about winning another three points."

In their recent visits to Trinidad and Tobago in World Cup qualifiers, the Mexicans drew 2-2 prior to South Africa 2010 and lost 2-1 in October 2005, before the World Cup in Germany 2006.

The last Mexican victory on Trinidadian soil was on September 8, 2004, when they prevailed 3-1.

Source: AP