FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Neymar punished us, says Mexico coach

Neymar celebrates scoring the opening goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group A match between Brazil and Mexico at Castelao on June 19, 2013 in Fortaleza, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Mexico coach Jose Manuel de la Torre rued poor finishing and the genius of Neymar after his side’s Confederations Cup ambitions were dashed by Brazil in Fortaleza on Wednesday.

Neymar scored one superb goal and made another in a 2-0 victory that sent the hosts into the semi-finals, while Mexico’s elimination was confirmed by Italy’s 4-3 win over Japan in the second Group B game.

“We conceded a goal at the start, with a great effort from Neymar, which changed the circumstances,” said De la Torre.

“We had a certain amount of dominance for a large portion of the game but we lacked enough precision to score. And at the end, there was a great contribution from Neymar (setting up a goal for Jo), which made it 2-0.”

Mexico have now won just once in 11 games in 2013, which has left their hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup in Brazil in the balance.

But De la Torre said he was not disheartened by their current situation.

“We’ve not achieved our objective. It’s not a setback,” he said.

“We’re on track. The principal objective is qualification (for the World Cup). In this competition (the Confederations Cup), we didn’t manage it. That’s how it is.”

Mexico will play Japan, who have also been eliminated, in their final Confederations Cup group game in Belo Horizonte on Saturday.