Coach Aguirre praises Mexico's character in overcoming Czechs 3-0

Coach Aguirre praises Mexico's character in overcoming Czechs 3-0 MEXICO CITY, June 24 : Mexico coach Javier Aguirre praised his team's mentality on Wednesday after they upped the tempo in the second half to secure a 3-0 victory against the Czech Republic in their final Group A match of the World Cup. With the victory, Mexico advance to the knockout phase as group winners. • "I didn't like the first 20 minutes, but then we settled down, the team recovered, and that's where we showed the power of mental strength," he said at a press conference. • The Mexican coach, who led the side at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, said that while the performance was good "we always have a few things to work on". • Aguirre, 67, said his team's mentality is essential to keep progressing at the World Cup, where they will look to move beyond the quarter-finals for the first time. • "I think we've improved in that area, that mentality of 'Well, that's it, we've done our part.' This group has character," he said.