Aguirre says Mexico beat cramps and stage fright in WC opener

MEXICO CITY, June 12 (AFP): Mexico coach Javier Aguirre revealed his team had overcome a bout of stage fright before clinching their first victory in a World Cup opener with a 2-0 defeat of South Africa on Thursday.

Mexico had never won their opening game of World Cup in seven attempts, registering five defeats and two draws during their previous appearances at the tournament.

But Aguirre's side were always in control against a poor South African team at the Estadio Azteca and bagged three points that puts them firmly on course for the knockout rounds from Group A.

Aguirre though revealed his team had had to set aside some opening day nerves to achieve the result.

"When you're starting out the World Cup, of course your legs will shake," Aguirre said. "Never in 25 years had anyone had any cramps but three of them had cramps today.

"We were in awe when we saw the stadium and they got a little bit of stage fright. But we never suffered. We could have scored four and it would have been completely different."

The final minutes of Thursday's game saw some sections of the restless home crowd boo the World Cup co-hosts.

Aguirre said while he hadn't heard the catcalls, the crowd were entitled to vent.

"I didn't hear boos. But it could have been a 4-0 game. 2-0, is not so much. But we got three points, which is amazing," Aguirre said.