CONCACAF Gold Cup Preview: Mexico v Trinidad & Tobago

Mexico’s bid for a third-straight CONCACAF Gold Cup success will continue when they take on Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday.

The sides will meet in the quarter-finals of the 2013 edition of the international tournament – hosted by the United States – having both finished second in their respective groups.

Mexico suffered a shock defeat to Panama in their opening game, but went on to beat Canada and Martinique in order to safely emerge from Group A.

And coach Jose Manuel de la Torre has admitted his team will need to improve in the next round.

“We have to keep working to find the answer to win the Gold Cup,” he said.

“So, pressure or no pressure, that’s the way it is. That’s the way it is with the Mexican national team. You have to understand that and know that.”

Trinidad & Tobago, meanwhile, drew with El Salvador, lost to Haiti and beat Honduras on their way to progressing from Group B.

De la Torre’s side have three goals from Guadalajara midfielder Marco Fabian to thank for their place in the last eight, while two-goal Stoke forward Kenwyne Jones is his country’s top marksman.

Mexico are aiming for a seventh victory in the CONCACAF Gold Cup having already won it three times more than nearest rival the United States.

Their next opponent’s best performance in the tournament came in 2000, when they shared third place with Peru after Mexico had exited at the last-eight stage.

These two teams last met in a World Cup qualifying match in October 2009 and shared a 2-2 draw at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.