Crazy dream comes true for Mexico coach.(The Orange County Register)

M. Reid

YOKOHAMA, Japan _ He had no job and no real prospects. But on this night it didn't matter. On this night anything seemed possible. Javier Aguirre was dancing the dance of dreamers.

A few hours earlier, Aguirre and his family watched Mexico, in one of the most unlikely results of the 1998 World Cup, come from behind to tie powerhouse Netherlands in a match in Saint-Etienne and advance to the tournament's second round.

Now Aguirre was in the midst of the Mexican celebration that had taken over the town square, singing and dancing and toasting the improbable. He was spotted by a pair of old friends who asked him what he was doing. Aguirre, a former Mexico World Cup team standout, explained he had just finished studying coaching in Spain and was looking for a job.

"Aguirre, Aguirre," one of the men said convincingly, "in four years you will coach Mexico in the World Cup."

"I thought they were drunk. They were," Aguirre said laughing, recalling the night. "I took it as a joke. A crazy idea. A wild dream. But here I am."

About to guide Mexico through the 2002 World Cup having inspired the Tricolores to a qualifying run as unlikely as his friend's prediction in the Saint-Etienne town square four years earlier. Last June, Aguirre, 43, took over a Mexican national team on the brink of elimination and with little hope of qualifying for Korea/Japan 2002, and with the strength of his personality willed it to a five-match undefeated streak and a spot in the tournament.