Mexico Squad Report: Ready to face Brazil without fear

The date was June 19, 2013, and it was at the Confederations Cup.

Mexico entered the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza as the clear underdog to face the host nation Brazil. Yet, they entered without fear. Brazil was hardly an unknown quantity to Mexico — facing off twice the previous year with two Mexico victories. The opposition represented a tough challenge but one that could be conquered.

Brazil went on to win 2-0 in a match that was thoroughly controlled by the home side. Of course, Brazil went on to win the Confederations Cup while Mexico fell out of the tournament with little to show.

Two days short of exactly a calendar year, these two sides will face-off once again in the same location. This time the stakes are considerably raised. Brazil used the momentum formed a year ago to cement their place as the tournament favorites. Mexico continued their descent to the brink of being left home during the World Cup.

Despite the disparity of the past twelve months in these teams, they enter this match on level terms, each coming off wins in their first match. They will once again be facing long odds, but this Mexico is hardly the team that visited Fortaleza last June.

The complete overhaul of the team and its roster completed by Miguel Herrera was evidenced in the brand of football displayed in Natal. Herrera's team now enters this match not just with the knowledge of their competitive history with Brazil, but with the comfort gained from the quality ninety minutes put together against Cameroon. 

Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa told FIFA.com that "getting a start like this has calmed our nerves" and that they'll be "going in to the game in a happy frame of mind and ready for the challenge." 

Considering the tumultuous times Mexico endured since last year's meeting, being able to once again approach this match-up without fear is a monumental feat.

Results/Fixtures

Group A — June 13 -- Mexico 1 - 0 Cameroon

Group A — June 18 -- Mexico vs. Brazil

Group A — June 23 -- Mexico vs. Croatia

Squad News/Rumors/Injury Report

No injuries to speak of in the Mexico camp.

Mexico can be expected to use the same starting eleven against Brazil as in their first match.

MF Javier Aquino, the late replacement for the injured Luis Montes, nearly saw minutes against Cameroon but was pulled back just before entering the match.

DF Hector Moreno is showing no ill effects from a minor injury sustained during Cameroon match.

Team Leaders

Oribe Peralta — 1 goal.

Quick Notes

The team completed an open training in Natal on Saturday and spent time with their families. The group will take the short trip to Fortaleza on Sunday.

The hotel where Mexico are staying has been swarmed with fans waiting for their chance to see ... Katy Perry. The singer is in Natal to see the US team face Ghana on Monday.

Weather reports indicate that Tuesday's match in Fortaleza will not feature the pouring rain of the Cameroon match.

With his goal against Cameroon, Oribe Peralta now has nine goals in his last seven official competitive matches with Mexico.