New Zealand vs. Mexico World Cup Playoffs 2014 Second Leg: Live Stream, Score, Preview, Prediction, Schedule 1 a.m. EST
Mexico and New Zealand will face off in the crucial second leg of the World Cup Playoffs.
The result is all but determined after the first leg as Mexico walked away with a 5-1 victory at home. The away goal gives New Zealand some hope but the task is still tremendous for the nation. In order to qualify, New Zealand would have to put up a 4-0 scoreline on Mexico in order to qualify.
Despite the advantage, Mexico is taking nothing for granted, especially after the disastrous CONCACAF hexagonal stage in which the nation was guilty of cockiness.
"I know that the score is large for us but we have to try to increase the advantage in the second leg to get the ticket to Brazil 2014," said Oribe Peralta according to Football.co.uk. Peralta had two goals in the game and has been El Tri's top star in 2013.
New Zealand has hope of reversing the scoreline but knows that it faces a huge task.
"I think that's the only way forward really, we have to get an early goal and put them on the back foot as soon as possible," said Kiwi's Captain Tommy Smith. "With the result in Mexico, we felt like we let the fans down a little bit, so we just have to go all guns blazing and do as well as we can."
Prediction: New Zealand will definitely give it their best as they have nothing to lose. However, do not expect a 4-0 marker. If New Zealand wins the score will likely be a 2-1 final. However Mexico is likely to continue exploiting New Zealand's weak defense and come away with a 2-1 victory instead.
Start Time: Kick-off Starts at 1 a.m. EST