MEXICO CITY - The time has come, the moment of truth is here. Only two games, 180 minutes to find out if Mexico will participate in next summer’s FIFA World Cup. El Tri begins their last chance playoff against New Zealand.

The first leg match between Mexico and New Zealand is scheduled for tomorrow Wednesday November 13 at 2:30PM local time (12:30PM pacific time) from the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. With the return leg scheduled for one week later in Wellington, New Zealand.

Mexico find themselves in this position after having failed to finish in the top three of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Hexagonal. United States, Costa Rica, and Honduras all finished better than El Tri and have their World Cup ticket in hand. As fourth place finishers Mexico are allowed to advance to a last chance playoff series to for one of the few remaining tickets to Brazil 2014.

The bad run in form that has Mexico in this world of trouble has led federation officials to make numerous changes in the manager position in the last few months. Currently in the hot seat for Mexico is Club America manager who will rely on his club players and leave out all European based Mexican players.

Like most other teams that visit the mythical Estadio Azteca New Zealand is expected to drop back and defend with most of their player. Mexico will have to struggle to find opening through which they can attack; something that Mexico has struggled with all year long.

True to his style, Miguel Herrera informed the media in his press conference what the starting lineup will be. It is the same starting eleven which took the field on October 31 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego against Finland.

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jonny.rico@sandiegored.com (@jonyrico)