The coach of the Mexican soccer team, Gerardo Martino, said he hopes to win over the fans with a good performance at the World Cup in Qatar, despite a series of poor results before it starts the tournament.

Mexico, which has only won seven of 15 games in 2022, has come under heavy criticism from fans after friendly defeats to Uruguay, Paraguay and Colombia.

On November 22, in Group C, the squad will begin their World Cup campaign in Group C against Poland, before facing Argentina and Saudi Arabia.

Martino said the criticism is understandable and he hopes his team, which will be accompanied by a large contingent of fans, will respond with strong performances on the pitch.

“There is no need to complain to the people (due to criticism), when we play against Poland there will be 50,000 Mexicans and they will cheer for the team, we have that guaranteed,” Martino told Mediotiempo on Tuesday.

“The question is that the team is up to the task of a World Cup, of the rivals we have and that we get the games ahead, and that will surely change people’s opinion.”

Martino added that the players who joined the concentration this week are mentally prepared and that, despite the atypical moment of the World Cup, the process has been similar to that of past editions.

“It doesn’t vary much from what happens over four years,” said the Argentine.

“We receive the players after a local soccer date, some win and some lose, some feel better and some not so much.

Mexico will play its last preparation matches, against Iraq on November 9 and against Sweden, before the start of the tournament.