Mexican complaints ice Arena's tactical cake

Mexican complaints that the US beat them by playing a boring game and putting up a defensive "brick wall" were the icing on an already satisfyingly sweet cake for American coach Bruce Arena.

His team produced a classic display of patient defence and rapid counter-attack that left their biggest rivals angry, frustrated and out of the tournament after a 2-0 second round defeat on Monday.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said his team had been foiled by the tactics of an opponent they know better than any other.

"In our earlier games in the tournament the other teams tried to play, but the US just defended," lamented Aguirre.

"They put up a brick wall and we couldn't get past it."

Mexican captain Rafael Marquez said: "It may have been a more boring game had we gone out and played like the US, everyone defending and then let's see how it goes, and long balls up front.

"Well, they play their way and we play ours," added Marquez, whose frustration boiled over in a spiteful late head-butt on Cobi Jones that earned him a red card.

But Arena was reluctant to take the credit, saying his tactical plan had more to do with pragmatism than inspiration as he tried to get the most from his weary and depleted squad.

"It was tough getting our guys back from the game on Friday after losing to Poland and we needed some fresh legs," he said.

"Our physical recovery time was so short we were concerned at how we would get 90 minutes out of our players. We needed to find a way of playing that was more passive.

"We had a game plan and my players executed it beautifully," he said. "But it wasn't about tactics or formations out there it was about heart and wanting to win the battle."

It was certainly a battle - mental and physical - but at its centre was Arena's defensive reorganisation and the discipline shown by his players to stick to the system.

Arena said he knew Mexico liked to get to the byline and send over crosses so he opted to play three big centre-backs, calling in Mastroeni and Berhalter to replace injured Jeff Agoos and suspended Frankie Hejduk, to play alongside Eddie Pope.

The performance was not only tactically sound but also a testimony to the team spirit and harmony that has developed under Arena, who in 1998 inherited a disillusioned squad that finished officially last in the World Cup four years ago, losing all three games.

The long-time college soccer coach, whose only international experience as a player came in a brief substitute's appearance in goal in a friendly against Israel in 1973, has created a unit full of confidence.

German boss Rudi Voeller, whose team face the US in the quarter-finals, will have taken notice of Arena's coaching and motivational expertise, and will certainly give his buoyant team the respect they deserve when they meet in Ulsan on Friday.