Mexico coach Javier Aguirre (Allsport).

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Mexico coach Javier Aguirre has warned his players to expect a difficult opening to their World Cup campaign on Monday.

The Central American side meet France 98 semi-finalists Croatia in the first Group G clash in Niigata.

And with Italy and Ecuador still to come, both sides know three points would go along way to booking a spot in the last 16.

But Aguirre is refusing to look too far ahead, concentrating only on Monday and a match he thinks is "going to be very hard".

"The Croatians will give it everything as they have done ever since the country became independent," he said.

"This is going to be a game for not making mistakes. Croatia feed off mistakes, so we can't make any.

"They give nothing away, leave no space in their own half and counter-attack very well."

Surprisingly Aguirre has left Luis Hernandez and Cuauhtemoc Blanco out of his first starting line-up.

Instead he has opted for Santos Laguna's 29-year-old Jared Borgetti as strike partner for Francisco Palencia.

Aguirre also confirmed that Salvador Carmona and Sigifredo Mercado will start ahead of Melvin Brown and the injured Rafael Garcia.

The coach accepts his players need to open with a good performance, but insists whatever happens against the Croats, the dream is not over.

He added: "I understand the responsibility we all have and that the team has to go out, win and play good football.

"We are playing for 90 minutes and three points, nothing more.

"So whatever happens we can't go crazy because it's only the first game of three."

The 44-year-old also heaped praise on the impressive 42,000 Niigata Stadium where Sunday's encounter takes place.

He enthused: "Look at the pitch and the stadium. There's an incredible atmosphere and it is a real joy and a pleasure to be here."