Mexico’s Ochoa Sets Sights On World Cup

While it seemed logical that Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa would have started in last summer’s World Cup, given his ability and age, he was left on the outs as Oscar Perez won the starting spot and started for all four of Mexico’s games in South Africa.

Despite that personal setback, though, Ochoa has not let his desire for World Cups waver.

“My dream, my prespectives and everything is in Brazil, to get to the World Cup in strong shape,” Ochoa told Mexican daily Record. “You have to take it step by step. I’ve been in two World Cup teams and of course I want to keep accumulating them and play in one.”

Ochoa was called up to Mexico for El Tri’s games against Paraguay and Venezuela and looks to play his first game under manager Jose Manuel De La Torre. Ochoa was left off De La Torre’s first roster as Jesus Corona started against Bosnia.

Now that he’s back in the mix, Ochoa said he hopes to make his personal history count.

“I have important challenges,” Ochoa said. “I have to come with the idea to prepare myself, to do things right in order to get to the Gold Cup and Copa America in good form. This will begin a process in which I can contribute to the national team all of the experience I have from having been at two World Cups and in different tournamaments and through different processes, for the good of the team.”

Corona had a fine performance against Bosnia but now Ochoa and fellow ‘keeper Alfredo Talavera could have their opportunities. Corona was left off this roster as the other two will battle for playing time.

“The manager is who will decide,” Ochoa said. “Every manager is familiar with the goalkeepers. I have some time playing for Mexico, so they all know my work. What I’ve been doing, I have to keep it at that level, since that’s what has helped me make it on rosters for important tournaments.”