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Friday, June 11, 2010

World Cup GK Profile: Óscar Pérez (Mexico)

Óscar Pérez
Squad No: 1
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 36
Birth Date: Feb 1, 1973
Birth Place: Mexico City, Mexico
Height: 5' 9" (1.74m)
Weight: 159 lbs (72 kg)
Club: Jaguares (MEX)
International Caps: 52

Club History
Jaguares (MEX): 2009-
Tigres (MEX): 2008-2009
Cruz Azul (MEX): 1993-2008



from Wikipedia (full wiki)
Óscar "El Conejo" Pérez Rojas is a Mexican football goalkeeper who formerly played for the Mexican team, Cruz Azul .

He was capped 46 times for the Mexican national team between 1997 and 2005. He played four games at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, and was selected for the 1998 FIFA World Cup but never played. He has been the starting goalkeeper for Cruz Azul since 1997 when they won the championship in the 1997 Winter Season. More Recently he has been awarded for staying at the club for 400 appearances, making it a record. But now he has moved to UANL Tigres and has now been the starter of 4 games in the Apertura 2008. After spending 1 year at Monterrey, now he moved to Jaguares de Chiapas.

Oscar was noted to be the best goalkeeper in Mexico from the years of 1998 to early 2002. Once Javier Aguirre left the Mexican team, Ricardo Lavolpe became coach, and Oswaldo Sanchez took over his spot. For the world cup 2010 Perez was called up again following several impressive showings in friendlies leading up to the competition.


from ESPN SoccerNet
This shaven-headed veteran of two World Cup finals (on the bench in 1998 and a starter in 2002) had seemed ready to retire from the game last year, only for coach Javier Aguirre to persuade him to join the squad in an understudy and dressing room leader role.
'El Conejo' (the Rabbit) may be small for a keeper, but he is still remarkably supple and agile. He has featured in four Copa America finals with Mexico (1995, 1999, 2001 and 2004) and two Confederations Cups (1997 and 1999). However, this World Cup is an altogether more glorious prize to chase and he will relish the challenge in South Africa this summer.

For most of his professional career, Perez has loyally served Mexico City outfit Cruz Azul. He became famous in 2001 for saving two penalties in one match from Real Madrid superstar Luis Figo.

from FIFA.com
South Africa 2010 will be the third FIFA World Cup™ finals for veteran goalkeeper Oscar Perez. An understudy to Jorge Campos at France 1998, he was Mexico's No1 at Korea/Japan 2002, appearing in all four of their games and conceding the same number of goals.

Overlooked by Ricardo La Volpe for Germany 2006, Perez was recalled to the national team by Javier Aguirre with Mexico struggling in their qualifying campaign. 'El Conejo' (The Rabbit) played in the matches last June against El Salvador (1-2) and Trinidad and Tobago (2-1), though he will arrive in South Africa as third goalkeeper behind the younger pair of Guillermo Ochoa and Luis Michel.

Perez, who plays for Mexican top-flight side Jaguares de Chiapas, was always renowned for his incredible spring – hence his nickname – which even allows him to touch the crossbar with his foot. He has impressive speed around the penalty box too and, at 37, his physical qualities remain intact. In addition, he brings a cool head in difficult moments, a product of the experience accumulated over 17 seasons as a professional. If called on he will have a positive contribution to make, both on and off the pitch.


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