Whenever Mexico takes the field in CONCACAF, there are always high expectations.

But would a loss in the sides’ quarter-final clash against Honduras be considered a failure?

“If you’d like to say it that way, that’s fine,” was the blunt reply from Mexico coach Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino in Friday’s press conference.

The perennial heavyweights of the region are set to face off at State Farm Stadium on Saturday in their first knockout match of the tournament.

“Now, we have to face the most difficult part of the competition,” Martino said. “We cannot make any mistakes. Of course, there is still room to improve. We’re going to face an opponent that is growing considerably. We played a very level match with them recently in Atlanta, and we will try to execute tomorrow as we executed them in the three previous matches.”

In the group stage, Mexico earned seven points out of nine, after a weak start in a goalless draw against Trinidad & Tobago.

Now, they face a different challenge: a Honduras side without head coach Fabian Coito, who was one of several positive COVID cases among the squad while in Houston.

“As a team, we have been facing many issues, that’s true, but we’re doing good,” Honduras assistant coach and interim leader Arnold Cruz said. “We’re strong.”

“We support each other, the coaching staff, the players. This is a unique time for us. We’re doing well. We hope that the team plays well tomorrow, because we’re facing a very important and strong opponent.”

Honduras know they are the underdogs entering this match – particularly with the match sold out, and the majority of fans expected to back El Tri. They’re not counting themselves out, though.

“We will try to play with the same quality [as Mexico],” Cruz said. “We are going to play with character and personality in the match tomorrow.”

Honduras and Mexico will face off at 7 p.m. Arizona time on Saturday, as the second match in a doubleheader which also features El Salvador and Qatar.