Layun says Mexico wants to go all out at World Cup

Mexican defender Miguel Layun is hopeful about his national team's performances at the upcoming football World Cup in Russia and said they want to give it their all.

Layun, a regular in the team under Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio, said in an interview with Efe they will go into the tournament with the mentality of fighting till the end.

"There are times when one cannot put aside the fact that we are not favorites, but we also are a quality team, we have positive things and work together, and all these come together very well because all of us are attuned," said the defender for Portuguese club Porto who was loaned to Sevilla in the middle of the last season.

Layun stressed that Mexico has a chance to play a significant role in Russia but for that it was first important for all of them to always keep that in mind.

"There are rivals of much quality and let's hope we maintain this positive synergy to reach a good moment. Without doubt, the favorites to win the title will be Germany, Spain, Brazil, France, who for me are at this moment are very strong; or Argentina. They are teams that always have different players who make a mark," said the Mexican.

Against these rivals, Layun underlined that the rest would have to work together to fight for the title, and he, in particular, was totally committed.

He also spoke about Spain coach Julen Lopetegui, who was his coach at Porto, saying he was a great person, and as a professional, he was very hard working.

According to Layun, Lopetegui has made the best use of "the quality players he has" and has combined it with his knowledge on the field, which has turned out well for Spain.

The versatile defender, who will turn 30 on Monday, also underlined that currently they were in a good place and that his maturity was an influencing factor, and hoped for a good World Cup campaign.

--IANS

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