Mexico plays New Zealand on Wednesday in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. The match starts at 3:30 p.m. ET. Watch the live stream HERE*.
New Zealand earned a spot in Wednesday's bout by topping their World Cup qualifying group in Oceania with six wins, Goal.com reports. As the All Whites travel to Mexico City, they have another opponent besides just Mexico: The altitude.
"It's harder to breathe (at altitude), the respiratory rate changes, your heart rate goes up ... essentially for any level of exercise, you are potentially more fatigued," New Zealand team doctor Mark Fulcher said, via Goal.com. "For athletes, the simply equation is that you will become more fatigued, more quickly and performance will drop off over a period of time."
New Zealand midfielder Leo Bertos, who's played in high-altitude stadiums, believes his club can handle it.
"We have some experience of being at altitude in recent years, which will help," he said. "We know it is going to be tough but we can't be intimidated. It's a huge challenge for us."
Mexico, meanwhile, barely earned a spot against New Zealand after posting a 2-3-5 record in the CONCACAF Hexagonal round. Thanks to a win by the USA, Mexico remains in contention for a spot next year in Brazil. Mexico is still adjusting to their new boss, Miguel Herrera, who became the club's fourth manager since August, according to MLSSoccer.com.
Herrera is already under scrutinity for his decision to use only domestic-based players for Wednesday's playoff match.
Mexico beat New Zealand in each of their last two friendlies - 2-0 on March 3, 2010 and 3-0 on June 1, 2011.
