Mexico into mens football final for first time

07 August 2012 19:16

Mexico advanced to the final of the men's Olympic football tournament for the first time in their history on Tuesday after coming from behind to defeat Asian giants Japan 3-1.

Japan, who had helped eliminate highly rated Spain in the first round, appeared set to emulate their female counterparts by reaching the final at Wembley after Yuki Otsu fired them into a 12th-minute lead.

But Mexico hauled themselves back into the contest after 28 minutes when Marco Fabian equalised.

Oribe Peralta then scored midway through the second half to put Mexico into their first Olympic football final, where they will face either South Korea or favourites Brazil for the gold medal.

In the final minute Peralta then released Javier Cortes down the right with a clever backheel and the substitute held off the defence before squeezing his shot beneath Shuichi Gonda in the Japanese goal.

Source: AFP