England victims of ‘disgraceful and unacceptable’ disadvantage which makes ‘mockery’ of World Cup

Jamie O’Hara has insisted it is ‘unfair’ that England are having to face Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in a furious rant.

The Three Lions face their biggest test of their World Cup campaign yet on Monday morning, as they travel to Mexico City preparing to battle the conditions and home advantage in their last 16 clash.

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It’s a tie that has sent alarm bells ringing among England‘s fans, with the iconic venue presenting some well-documented challenges.

Dizzying heights

Mexico boast a daunting record at the Azteca – with just two defeats from 89 competitive matches since their home opened.

Even during this World Cup, they remain unbeaten at the venue, having won all three matches there without conceding a goal.

While the statistic have been widely circulated, it is the reasons behind El Tri’s record which have left many fearing how Thomas Tuchel‘s players will handle the occasion.

It is impossible to discuss the Azteca without mentioning that it sits 2,200 metres above sea level. 

This understandably works in Mexico’s favour, with their players acclimatised to the conditions, while England have played all of their games so far in the USA, with their training base in Kansas City.

The Three Lions arrived in Mexico City on Friday, leaving them just three days to adapt to the altitude.

Thomas Tuchel has already conceded that it will be ‘impossible’ for his players to prepare for the altitude in time, admitting there is nothing practical that can be done to overcome the problem.

‘Complete disadvantage’

England’s tough task in Mexico City has left Sports Bar host O’Hara furious, who has blasted the fact that Mexico are allowed to play such a huge fixture at their home ground where they are far better adjusted to the conditions.

He fumed on the Sports Bar: “I think it’s an absolute disgrace that we’re playing at the Azteca. The teams that have to go to Mexico are at a complete disadvantage. 

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“I think it’s almost unacceptable, it is a huge disadvantage that teams have got to go there, who haven’t been given the opportunity to prepare for it, haven’t been given the opportunity to be able to train at altitude, and then you’ve just got to go there and play Mexico at the Azteca. 

“I just don’t think it’s fair. It’s not right. Every other team or nation has got to play at a different ground. 

“I know they’re a host nation, to play at the Azteca at 2,200 metres up, whatever it is, right? 

“I think it’s bang out of order – the reason that their record is so good is because they’ve got an advantage. Not because they’re a better team than everyone else.”

Continuing to slam the playing arrangement, O’Hara said: “I just think it’s unfair, and I don’t want to make excuses, and I won’t on the day, but it is a mockery.

“It’s a mockery of the World Cup.”

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Task of champions

While O’Hara insisted England have a huge uphill task in their next match, his co-host Jason Cundy took a less sympathetic approach.

Cundy said: “It is what it is. Get on with it. Suck it up, literally.”

To this, O’Hara came back: “It’s easier said than done when you’re breathing out your backside after five minutes.

“Because you haven’t been given the opportunity to be able to prepare to play.”

However, Cundy argued that England must overcome these challenges if they are to be considered World Cup contenders, and pointed out that Mexico’s home record may not be as daunting as it appears on paper.

He continued: “I agree with you, but what I don’t want to be doing is sitting there on Monday using that as an excuse – go there and beat them.

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“I know it’s going to be tough and there’s a reason their record is so good – the level of opposition [they’ve beaten].”

Cundy added: “If we’re going to win a World Cup, and it is going to be tough, but you’ve got to do this.

“You’ve got to get past these hurdles.”