Mexican defender Reyes says Mexico World Cup spots open

MEXICO CITY, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Defender Israel Reyes said competition for places in Mexico's national team ahead of the FIFA World Cup means even established players cannot afford to relax.

The Club America player was one of 55 players named in Mexico's provisional squad for the tournament, which begins on June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. National teams have until June 1 to submit their final lists of up to 26 players.

"With the national team you cannot allow yourself to relax, no matter if you are a European-based player or someone who is regularly called up by the coach," Reyes told reporters on Friday. "The competition is not even with the teammate next to you, but with three national teams that are part of the world elite."

Mexico will meet South Africa in the tournament opener before facing South Korea and Czech Republic in Group A.

The Jalisco native stressed the importance of home advantage, saying the challenge is to stay unbeaten throughout the group stage.

"It's something you can feel, something we somehow transmit, maybe not directly through words among ourselves, but you can feel that at home we are going to be very strong," the 25-year-old said.

"From the first match, we want to show opponents that at home we will be stronger, that we want to be a team that is practically unbeatable here and in front of our fans." Enditem