6/7/2006
Steve Brisendine, AP

GOETTINGEN, Germany — Rafael Marquez's first trip to the World Cup ended with two flashes: one of temper and one of a referee's red card.

This time around, Mexico's 27-year-old captain insists, things are going to be different.

"I'm more mature, with more ambition," he said earlier this week, as Mexico prepared for its World Cup opener against Iran on Sunday. "I'm hoping to do a good job."

In 2002, Marquez was Mexico's captain as El Tri won its group and advanced to the second round. But in the 88th minute of Mexico's 2-0 loss to the United States, his frustration at the Americans' dominance boiled over.

Marquez slammed his head hard into American midfielder Cobi Jones, drew the red card and was ejected.

Given his World Cup history, a reputation for rough play might prove problematic for Marquez when referees must decide between issuing a verbal warning or a card. And if this year's Champions League final is any indication, he could draw the attention of game officials early and often in Germany.

Marquez showed solid ballhandling skills as a holding midfielder for FC Barcelona this past season, helping his club win the Spanish and Champions League double for the first time since 1992.

But in Barcelona's Champions League final against Arsenal, he struggled to keep up with faster opponents — especially as the game wore on.

French forward Thierry Henry, who beat Marquez badly with a run early in the match, complained afterward that Marquez repeatedly took him down from behind and went after his ankles.

In Mexico's training sessions for the World Cup, Marquez has been practicing in central defense, rather than in his usual holding midfield position. In scrimmages this week, during the portions of practice that have been open to media, he has also played on the right side of the defense.

Coach Ricardo Lavolpe has not spoken to reporters since El Tri arrived last week and has not announced a starting lineup for Sunday's opener in Nuremberg.

Marquez, like his teammates, is sticking to the party line: Everything is up to Lavolpe.

"I can adapt to the system that Lavolpe wants — in the middle, at the back or on the right," Marquez said earlier this week, speaking through a translator like all of Mexico's players. "I can do many functions."

Forward Jared Borgetti agreed that Marquez has gained experience and maturity over the past four years.

"He is a good player that gives security in the line," said Borgetti, who also played for Mexico in the 2002 World Cup. "It is good to have a player like Marquez on the team, who is older and has experience over the last four years. He will help the defense in this World Cup."

Mexico will need all the defensive help it can get. Although goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez is solid, his back line has been less so — especially in Europe.

El Tri got off to a strong start in last year's Confederations Cup in Germany, with two wins and one draw in its first three games. But in its four matches since then on European soil — two losses in the Confederations Cup and two more in pre-World Cup friendlies this year — Mexico has conceded eight goals.

The team is expected to advance out of the World Cup's Group D, which also includes Angola and Portugal. But the defense would face a tough second-round test against either Argentina or the Netherlands. The Dutch beat Mexico 2-1 with a reserve-heavy team on June 1.

"In this type of tournament, there is no margin for error," Marquez said. "You try to make as few errors as possible."