Mexico (8) v (3) Timor-Leste

By Tim Beissmann

Mexico made the perfect start to second round with a convincing 8-3 win over a hard-running Timor-Leste team.

A pre-match group photograph of both sides was a terrific symbol of the Homeless World Cup's spirit.

Mexico's Juan Felix Buenrostro Segura made a superb start with two goals in a minute, and showed his appreciation of some unselfish team play which set up his hat-ttrick in the third.

Timor-Leste showed great endeavour in defence, double-teaming the ball-carrier a clear instruction from the outset, and under seige keeper Donato Ximenes Sequeira battled bravely against a steady flow of strikes.

A sixth minute penalty to Timor-Leste was converted in bullet-like fashion, and left the Mexican keeper and the stands breathless.

Mario Laurentino Guterres Benevides was determined to keep the ball away from his opponents late in the half, and succeeded in keeping the half-time score to 4-1.

The second half was much more physical than the first, and the Mexican keeper was suddenly under attack from some long range Timor-Leste attempts.

Timor's star striker Amaro da Silva tightened up the contest, creating two goals out of seemingly nothing, and an unlikely upset appeared a real possibility.

But steadiers from Juan Praxedis Contreras and Buenrostro Segura gave the match to the Mexicans, the second of which was a heart-breaking own goal deflection off the Timor-Leste defence.

Photos: Photoworx