MEXICO CITY (AP)

A Mexican newspaper began encouraging football fans to cast a voodoo hex on the United States ahead of next week's World Cup qualifier.

Readers of the Record could trade in coupons for voodoo-doll likenesses of United States players at Blockbuster video stores in Mexico City yesterday.

Fans were instructed to use the doll to wish for a Mexico goal during next Wednesday's match in Colombus, Ohio.

prick slowly

"Hold a needle firmly between your thumb and index finger and prick slowly the part of the doll where you want to affect the opponent," the instructions say. The back of the doll's jersey read, "Gringos."

Record calls the dolls Mexico's "secret weapon."

US-based electronics retailer RadioShack dropped out as a distribution partner last week after learning details of the campaign.

But Record managed to find US-based Blockbuster as a new co-sponsor.

Record spokesman Daniel Paz said the promotion was a light-hearted attempt at helping Mexico end a 10-year drought against the Americans on US soil.

"In football, training and practice are what determine the results. The best team will win," Paz said.