Suriname vs Mexico live online: Score, stats and updates | CONCACAF Nations League
Suriname 0-2 Mexico | As it happened
Diego Cocca took charge of Mexico for the first time on Thursday evening, guiding his new team to a 2-0 win in the CONCACAF Nations League.
Rocca rang the changes for his first starting XI, naming only five players who had been in the squad for the World Cup just three months ago. He was hoping to bring new impetus to the team but it was Suriname who looked the most dangerous in the opening 45, coming close on a number of occasions.
Languid playmaker Diego Biseswar had the better of the Mexican midfield in the first half and the home side could easily have gone into the break ahead.
Mexico came out stronger in the second 45 and began dominating the play. But for all their possession it was a set piece that secured the first goal of the Rocca era, with defender Johan Vasquez bundling home a dangerous free kick.
Sergio Gimenez had a chance to settle the game with 15 minutes remaining when Mexico won a penalty, but the Feyenoord forward skied his effort.
The one-goal lead was not to last though and a teasing cross from the impressive Uriel Antuna was turned into his own net by Damell Dankerlui to put the game beyond the hosts.
It was far from flawless in Rocca's first outing, but an important three points leaves Mexico top of Group A with just one match remaining.
Diego Cocca celebrates first win in charge
A new era of Mexican football got underway this evening as a new-look side overcame Suriname. Diego Cocca took charge of the national side for the first time and, despite struggles in the opening 45, dominated the game in the second half and ran out deserved winners.
Cocca will be pleased with the resolve shown after the break and knows he has much quality to add back into the squad.
FULL TIME
That's all folks. It wasn't a vintage performance from El Tri but they did enough to get the three points in Diego Cocca's first game in charge.
Cocca hands international debut to Ruiz
Young midfielder Marcel Ruiz is on the pitch for his first international cap, having impressed recently for Liga MX club Toluca.
There's a trio of late substitutions from the hosts as they continue to pushforward but the crowd has very much died down here. There's now just a couple of minutes until Diego Cocca's first win as Mexico manager is confirmed.
Mexico make two subs
Diego Lainez / Roberto Alvarado
Marcel Ruiz / Erick Sanchez
While the final touch came of a Suriname player, credit should be given to Mexico for a neat interchange of passes that allowed Urial Atuna to find space behind the hosts' backline. From there, Suriname could do little to stop the inevitable.
GOAL! Suriname 0-2 MEXICO (OG)
Uriel Atuna's fizzed cross is turned into his own net by Damil Dankerlui. Hard luck for the hosts but a deserved two-goal cushion for Mexico.
We're into the final ten minutes of regulation time in Paramaribo and Suriname and still without reach of the seven-time Gold Cup winners. Mexico have gone close to doubling the lead, most notably with a missed penalty, but the margin remains a single goal.
Substitution: Mexico
Fernando Beltran / Charly Rodriguez
Juhan Vasquez celebrates his first international goal
The Mexican defender opened his account for the national team with his second half finish and it looks like a crucial first goal. We're approaching the final ten now and the game remains 1-0.
CHANCE: Mexico
Julian Araujo nearly doubled Mexico's lead after finding space on the right side of the Surinamese penalty box. He sprinted through on goal but his shot was dragged wide of the far post.
El Tri are still dominating the ball this half, but will be eager to make their advantage count with a second goal
Double change for Suriname
Jamilhio Rigters / Diego Biseswar
Denzell Gravenberch / Jeredy Hilterman
How will both sides respond? Mexico appeared to be taking control of the game when the penalty was awarded in their favour, but that miss may well harm their momentum now.
PENALTY MISSED: Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)
The Feyenoord striker thrashes the ball well over the crossbar, much to the relief of the home support. A terrible attempt from a forward who is struggling for form at the moment. Game on!
PENALTY: Mexico
It goes from bad to worse for Suriname as Mexico's ball dominance starts to pay. A late challenge on Uriel Antuna gives the hosts a big chance from the spot...
GOAL: Suriname 0-1 MEXICO (Johan Vásquez)
They manage a goal! The curling cross bounces across the six yard box and Johan Vásquez is on hand to prod the ball home.
It's the first goal of Diego Cocca's reign, and it didn't come easily.
Late tackle on Roberto Alvarado and Mexico have a free kick on the left wing, with a decent angle to get the ball into the box. Let's see what they manage...
Mexico dominating the ball in the first 15 minutes of the second half but struggling to make any real openings for themselves.
CHANCE: Suriname
So nearly the opener from the hosts. Sheraldo Becker skips down the rightflank and sends in a ball towards Hilterman. The cross is slightly overhit but finds Jozefzoon in acres of space at the back post but his wild left-footed shot flies over the bar.
A real let off for Mexico, there.
Things are opening up a little in the second half and Mexico are making the most of it. Can Suriname weather the storm here and play their way back into the game?
CHANCE: Mexico
Uriel Antuna twists and turns on the right wing, forging a bit of crossing space for himself to send the ball into the box. Gimenez wins the header in the box but his attempt on goal is tame.
CHANCE: Mexico
A slightly shaky start to the second half from Suriname, giving the ball away cheaply on the edge of their own box. Gimenez's shot is comfortably saved but it's an early warning for the hosts.
Julian Araujo / Kevin Alvarez
In perhaps a sign of Cocca's displeasure with the first half performance, there was a change at the break. LA Galaxy, soon-to-be FC Barcelona, full back Julian Araujo is on for the second 45.
Second half
And we're back to it in Suriname for the second half of this CONCACAF Nations League fixtures...
Halftime in Paramaribo with hosts on top
It's not the start that Diego Cocca would have dreamt of. Despite making some decent chances Mexico have been second best in the opening 45. Suriname have looked dangerous on the counter attack and boast a talented quartet of attackers.
The hosts' key player - pictured here on the receiving end of some close attention - has been playmaker Diego Biseswar. The languid midfielder is not the most energetic but his neat touches and vision have unlocked the talents of his more mobile teammates.
HALF-TIME
Not the opening 45 that new Mexico boss Diego Cocca would have hoped for as Suriname come the closest to breaking the deadlock.
Mexico did look good in spells, with Santiago Gimenez providing a real focal point up top, but the hosts' slick interplay and pace on the counter has looked the more dangerous.
Another 45 minutes to go...
CHANCE! Suriname
Nearly an opener right on the stroke of halftime. Another sharp attacking move from the hosts finds dangerman Sheraldo Becker in space on the edge of the box.
His whipped shot flies just wide of the post but that could so easily have been the breakthrough. And that'll do us for the first half here...
Another lovely through ball from Bisesewar finds Jozeszoon running clear on the left wing.
A strong tackle returns the ball to Mexico and now they're on the counter, nearly finding Gimenez in behind.
It's been a breathless first 45 at the Flora Stadium, Suriname.
It's been a remarkably even game so far. Both sides have fashioned openings but are yet to make a decision chance. Suriname will be delighted with their first half showing and could embarrass Diego Cocca in his first outing as Mexico coach.
Chance: Suriname
Brilliant play from Florian Jozefzoon as he skips through a series of Mexican challenges to slide a ball through to Jeredy Hilterman. His run in behind the Mexico backline gives him a sight at goal but his left-footed shot is saved comfortably.
The crowd show their appreciation.
That brace of bookings seems to have woken up the Mexican side and they have enjoyed a better spell of possession in the last few minutes. Santiago Gimenez shows some neat touches to hold up the ball and force a save from Roggeveen.
Yellow: Uriel Antuna (Mexico)
Just two minutes after the first yellow card, we have the second. It's awarded to Mexican midfielder Uriel Antuna and, no surprises for guessing, it comes after a poor tackle on Diego Biseswar.
The Surinamese playmaker has been the star performer so far.
Yellow: Roscello Vlijter (Suriname)
A late challenge in the centre of the pitch brings the first booking of the game. Mexico loft the resulting free kick into the box but it is safety gathered by the Suriname goalkeeper.
Chance: Suriname
Suriname continue to push forwards, dominating the game, and force another decent opening. Playmaker Diego Biseswar provides a dangerous cross from the left before getting on the end of the rebound and sending it back across the face of goal.
Not quite, but the hosts are continuing to make chances here...
There have been decent chances for both sides in the opening 25 minutes but it's been a slightly scrappy game so far. Plenty of fouls for both sides in the centre of the pitch that are disrupting the rhythm slightly.
Chance: Suriname
Nearly a great goal for the hosts! The wide free kick is rolled central to Kelvin Leerdam who fires in an effort from long range. Mexican goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo manages to tip it arond the post for a corner.
A promising start from Suriname.
The home crowd are in good voice here after a strong start from Suriname. The hosts are currently lining up a fre kick, lets see what comes of it...
Chance: Mexico
After a brief spell of pressure from Mexico a straight ball is lofted over the Suriname defence to find the head of Antuna drifting in from the right. A decent attempt, but one that is comfortably saved.
Suriname's centre forward Jeredy Hilterman has shown some neat touches so far but and nearly got on the end of a long ball. The ball was repelled but the hosts win a free-kick on the edge of the area, which is claimed by the Mexican goalkeeper.
Chance: Mexico
After that early chance El Tri go right up the other end and form an attack of their own. Gimenez is in but his effort is too close to the Suriname goalkeeper and is pushed wide for a corner.
Offside: Suriname
The first clear opening of the game goals to the hosts as a clever through ball finds Jozefzoon in space in the box.
His square ball is dragged wide by Hilterman and the play is pulled back for an offside. A promising start from Suriname, though.
Mexico set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation
It looks like Cocca's first Mexico team will start out in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Santiago Gimenez playing as a lone striker. Captain Erick Gutiérrez starts in a double pivot alongside Érick Sánchez.
KICK-OFF
And we're underway in Paramaribo, here we go....
A new start for Mexican football?
New Mexico coach Diego Cocca has stressed his desire for a fresh start and there are just five players from tonight's starting XI who features in last year's World Cup.
We're nearly ready for kick-off
The two teams are readying themselves in the tunnel ahead of tonight's CONCACAF Nations League fixture. Hosts Suriname will hope to cause an upset against Mexico, who have selected a team comprised entirely of Lige MX players.
Just minutes to go now...
Mexican side welcomed with traditional song
Mexico took to the field this evening to the sound of 'Cielito Lindo', a traditional Mexican folk song. The 3,500-capacity Flora Stadium is not the most illustrious of sporting stadia, but the hospitality is second-to-none.
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Mexico may be the favourites to tonight's fixture but there will need to be weary of Suriname's potential on the break. They proved themselves to be a well-organised side in their recent draw against Jamaica and can call on one of the Bundesliga's most in-form forwards to pose a real threat.
Sheraldo Becker has been in fine form this season, scoring seven goals in the German top flight, and Mexico will need to keep him quiet.
Mexico lineup for Guillermo Cocca's first game...
C.Acevedo; K.Alvarez, I.Reyes, J.Vasquez, G.Arteaga; E.Sánchez, C.Rodríguez, E.Gutiérrez (c); R.Alvarado, S.Giménez, U.Antuna
Carlos Acevedo gets the nod in goal for Mexico
The biggest question for Diego Cocca as he selected his first lineup as Mexico head coach, was the identity of his goalkeeper. Stalwart Guillermo Ochoa is not in contention for Cocca, having selected a squad of only Mexican-based players for tonight's game.
In the end, the new coach has opted for Santos Laguna's Carlos Acevedo, who is making with fifth appearance for the Seleccion this evening.
Mexico lineup announced
For the first time as Mexico boss, Diego Cocca has named his starting XI for tonight's fixture. As expected, it's a team comprised solely of players currently signed for Liga MX clubs.
Atmosphere builds at the Flora Stadium
There's around 40 minutes to go until kick-off in this CONCACAF Nations League clash, but the noise is already building amongst the Suriname fans. The home side are the underdogs this evening but will take confidence a recent draw with Jamaica.
Thanks to our friends at AS Mexico for the in-stadum footage!
Wondering how to watch tonight's game? We'll have all the live coverage you need right here, bringing you all the goals and action, but you can also find yourself a stream if you feel so inclined.
Here's everything you need to know to find a live stream for the Suriname vs Mexico game...
Mexico head off for tonight's game
El Tri will come into the game looking to prove themselves to new coach Diego Cocca. Mexico had an underwhelming showing at the 2022 World Cup and tonight will be the side's first chance to put that right.
Good evening and welcome to AS USA
We're just under an hour away from kick-off at the Flora Stadium in Suriname for this CONCACAF Nations League fixture.
Mexico are in town and know that they can return to the top of Group A with a victory of Suriname.