PASADENA (CALIFORNIA), May 29: Mexico started its World Cup preparations with a 0-0 draw against Wales at the Rose Bowl on Monday night.
Playing the first of three tuneup matches before its Group F opener against defending champions Germany on June 17 in Moscow, a rampant El Tri attack could not find a way to beat Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Hennessey made several impressive saves, including sticking out his right foot to deny Mexico captain Hector Herrera�s shot in the 56th minute from the edge of the 6-yard box.
Hennessey also tipped Herrera�s shot from outside the penalty box over the crossbar in the 40th minute and parried away Javier Aquino�s attempt in the 22nd minute. Mexico dominated possession and kept the pressure on a Welsh side mostly lacking in experience at the international level. Their defence settled in well after some early jitters without Nestor Araujo, who left the team on Wednesday following a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.
With Mexico always a strong draw in Los Angeles, the International Friendly attracted a crowd of 82,345, the largest to see a soccer match in the United States this year. � AP