Johannesburg: Mexico will meet France as equals and won't be intimidated by the 2006 World Cup finalists when the Group A rivals play on Thursday, according to captain Gerardo Torrado.
"France is a team with great players and we respect them, but on the pitch it's 11 on 11," the 31-year-old midfielder said on Monday before a team practice at Waterstone College. "It's not names that play but men.
"We're at the World Cup, where pressure is never going to be small. There are no easy matches. We are going to strive for the result which will allow us to keep advancing."
Thierry Henry is the only remaining player from France's 1998 World Cup-winning squad. Defenders Eric Abidal and William Gallas, midfielders Alou Diarra and Florent Malouda, and forwards Franck Ribery, Sidney Govou and Henry are left from the 2006 squad.
France was held to a 0-0 draw by Uruguay and Mexico drew 1-1 with South Africa on Friday's opening day of the 2010 tournament. Mexico and France play in Polokwane. On Wednesday, South Africa takes on Uruguay in Pretoria.
Despite being the favorites against South Africa, Mexico needed a 79th-minute goal from Rafael Marquez to earn a point. The midfielder was unmarked inside the box and received a cross from Andres Guardado before side-footing the ball into the net.
"We had a good first half and a not-so-good second half against South Africa, but our will to win and make history is the same," Mexico striker Carlos Vela said. "We know we are a good high-quality team and now we have to prove it with results."
Vela said his team had a single immediate objective.
"We're going out against France to win," he said.
At Monday's practice session, Mexican goalkeeping coach Alberto Aguilar used NFL-type footballs during a drill to better prepare his players for unpredictable bounces.
Numerous World Cup players — especially goalkeepers — have complained about the official 2010 World Cup Jabulani ball, saying its flight is difficult to judge.
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