Mexico beat Ghana as Sanchez prepares to face the music

LONDON (Reuters) - Pavel Pardo converted a late penalty to give Mexico a 2-1 friendly victory over Ghana on Wednesday, handing beleaguered coach Hugo Sanchez a boost five days before a meeting which is expected to decide his future.

The Mexican Federation (FMF) is due to meet on Monday to decide whether Sanchez, who has been in charge for 18 months, can continue in the job.

Sanchez, widely regarded as the finest player Mexico has produced, has been under fire since the Under-23 team, which he also coaches, failed to qualify for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In the game played at Fulham's Craven Cottage, Mexico created plenty of chances, forward Antonio de Nigris forcing Ghana keeper Richard Kingson into making a save after only 17 seconds, while Nery Castillo had a shot blocked on the line by John Mensah.

But Ghana, who played a majority of the team which reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup last month, went ahead in the 55th minute when Michael Essien scored with a shot which went in off the post.

PSV Eindhoven defender Carlos Salcido equalised for Mexico in the 77th minute after dispossessing Ghana's substitute goalkeeper Fatau Dauda in the penalty area.

Ten minutes later, Pardo fired in from the penalty spot to give Sanchez some respite.

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