Monterrey’s Cruz: FCWC is “a great opportunity”
AGADIR, Morocco – Monterrey already has an edge in experience by competing in the previous two FIFA Club World Cups, but it gained another ahead of its Saturday quarterfinal encounter against Raja Casablanca by watching the Moroccans’ 2-1 playoff victory over Auckland City earlier in the week.
Rayados head coach Jose Cruz realizes that his players can benefit from any advantage, but wants them to remain calm before meeting an opponent that is, in essence, the event’s host.
“I think coming to the Club World Cup, rather than being an extra pressure, it is a great opportunity to make things right and show the world that there is capacity in our football,” said Cruz. “Our team plays good football, is competitive and can reach the goals we set.
“These are games where you play all 90 minutes, have to be focused 100 percent during the match to continue the aspiration of being champion.”
The Raja Casablanca-Monterrey winner will face Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in next week’s semifinals. That prospect of that pairing is appealing to Cruz.
“Clearly the aspiration is to win the ticket to the semifinal,” commented the 46-year-old. “Facing Atletico Mineiro for us would be a great experience. In theory it is obvious that both Mineiro and we think it would be a good showdown for having certain Latino soccer similarities.”
Raja Casablanca took part in the inaugural Club World Cup in 2000 in Brazil, finishing bottom of Group A with losses against Brazil’s Corinthians, Al Nasr of Saudi Arabia and Spanish power Real Madrid.
Though his team outlasted the Oceania champion in the tournament opener, Raja’s Moshine Moutaouali realizes the three-time CONCACAF champion presents a different challenge.
“We know it (Monterrey) is not an easy team, but Raja will be prepared very well considering this game,” said the striker. “We’ll be happy to face them. We will seriously train these days before.”
Raja Casablanca technical director Faouzi Benzarti is also expecting a difficult match from the Mexicans.
“This Mexican team is not weak, it is well structured, plays well,” he said. “I like challenges and I am confident in myself and around the team. We have much work to do in the psychological part and do it every day, working with small groups and even individually.”
Monterrey is competing in the FIFA competition for a third straight time. A year ago in Japan, the Rayados defeated Ulsan Hyundai, 3-1, in the quarterfinals before falling to Chelsea, 3-1 in the semifinals. They bounced back to beat Al-Ahly, 2-0, in the match for third place.
It was an improvement from a fifth-place finish in 2011.
AGADIR, Morocco – Monterrey already has an edge in experience by competing in the previous two FIFA Club World Cups, but it gained another ahead of its Saturday quarterfinal encounter against Raja Casablanca by watching the Moroccans’ 2-1 playoff victory over Auckland City earlier in the week.
Rayados head coach Jose Cruz realizes that his players can benefit from any advantage, but wants them to remain calm before meeting an opponent that is, in essence, the event’s host.
“I think coming to the Club World Cup, rather than being an extra pressure, it is a great opportunity to make things right and show the world that there is capacity in our football,” said Cruz. “Our team plays good football, is competitive and can reach the goals we set.
“These are games where you play all 90 minutes, have to be focused 100 percent during the match to continue the aspiration of being champion.”
The Raja Casablanca-Monterrey winner will face Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro in next week’s semifinals. That prospect of that pairing is appealing to Cruz.
“Clearly the aspiration is to win the ticket to the semifinal,” commented the 46-year-old. “Facing Atletico Mineiro for us would be a great experience. In theory it is obvious that both Mineiro and we think it would be a good showdown for having certain Latino soccer similarities.”
Raja Casablanca took part in the inaugural Club World Cup in 2000 in Brazil, finishing bottom of Group A with losses against Brazil’s Corinthians, Al Nasr of Saudi Arabia and Spanish power Real Madrid.
Though his team outlasted the Oceania champion in the tournament opener, Raja’s Moshine Moutaouali realizes the three-time CONCACAF champion presents a different challenge.
“We know it (Monterrey) is not an easy team, but Raja will be prepared very well considering this game,” said the striker. “We’ll be happy to face them. We will seriously train these days before.”
Raja Casablanca technical director Faouzi Benzarti is also expecting a difficult match from the Mexicans.
“This Mexican team is not weak, it is well structured, plays well,” he said. “I like challenges and I am confident in myself and around the team. We have much work to do in the psychological part and do it every day, working with small groups and even individually.”
Monterrey is competing in the FIFA competition for a third straight time. A year ago in Japan, the Rayados defeated Ulsan Hyundai, 3-1, in the quarterfinals before falling to Chelsea, 3-1 in the semifinals. They bounced back to beat Al-Ahly, 2-0, in the match for third place.
It was an improvement from a fifth-place finish in 2011.
Brasil: Flamengo, Vasco, Fluminense, Botafogo (100% Carioca) Rio > Säo Paulo
MENGÃO TRI DA AMÈRICA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RlVt8zJhXQ