FATORDA: Two goals down in opening quarter of the match! An un imaginable and least expected start to the pre-quarters for Mario Arteaga’s men against the Asian powerhouse Iran. 

The two-time champions found themselves in the tough and tricky situation. Definitely any coach wouldn't want to see his side down by two goals despite having an upper hand against their opponents. 

Looked as if the ‘good omens’ were with the Iranians once again on a humid night in Goa. Reckoning history to favour the Asian team once again in Goa, the Goan crowd too shifted their gears as they cheered the Asian side. 

But a section of people from West Upper Stand kept on screaming, ‘Si Se Puede, Si Se Puede’ which meant ‘yes we can’. Yes, they were the Mexican fans which travelled along to enforce their team morale.

The 25 travelling fans included the parents of six players, kept on cheering their team throughout the game expecting a comeback. But Iranians were not an easy side to score goals as they had conceded just one goal that too in their first group game against Guinea.

Dominating the match for almost half hour, De La Rosa restored some hope in the Mexican camp pulling a goal back to breathe a sigh of relief for the travelling fans. 

Si Se Puede seemed to make an impact in the team. The Mexicans fans were delighted to pull a goal back before the break as Mexican keeper Cesar Lopez’s dad walked smiling out of the stands, believing a possible comeback.

“We have travelled with the team to Kolkata and Guwahati. Yes we did back the team and we can make it through; the team is playing brilliant,” said Luiz Mendes a Mexican fan at the stroke of half time.

However, Iran defence wasn’t an easy task force to break. However, Mario’s army kept on knocking the door, but the door never opened. ‘Si Se Puede, Si Se Peude' the chants kept flying till the final whistle. But the breakthrough never arrived. 

The Mexicans might have failed to make it through to the quarterfinals but definitely entertained Goan and showcased one of the best matches Goa has ever witnessed at Nehru Stadium. 

“Today’s match was amazing! I was thrilled to watch the Mexicans play. They were definitely the better side tonight. They might have lost but I loved the way they played,” said Ariston Fernandes, a football enthusiast.

Mexico, io hiciste -‘you did it’, you managed to catch the eyes of Goans. Iran won the match, but Mexico thrilled the fans!