FOCUSED ON THE SECOND LEG
Club Tijuana trained in Belo Horizonte ahead of its quarterfinals second leg match against Atletico Mineiro in the 2013 Copa Bridgestone Libertadores
BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente trained in the afternoon Tuesday May 28 at the Toca Da Raposa II sports complex where Cruzeiro Esporte Club practices in Belo Horizonte.
Coach Antonio Mohamed’s team concentrated on warm ups, exercises, tactical play and finished with intersquad scrimmages. On Monday when the Xoloitzcuintles arrived in Brazil, the team went through some rehabilitation exercises.
Mohamed watched his students and said he is happy with their effort heading into a walkthrough Wednesday at Estadio Independencia in Belo Horizonte where the Xoloitzcuintles will face Atletico Mineiro in the second leg of the 2013 Copa Bridgestone Libertadores quarterfinals Thursday May 30.
“You can never count this team for dead,” said Mohamed, who recalled that the Xoloitzcuintles are a team accustomed to overcoming adversity.
Mohamed said he is confident his team will come out and give it all it as Thursday and it will try to continue making history for Tijuana and Mexico.
Club Tijuana goalkeeper, Cirilo Saucedo talked about his confidence in moving on, despite knowing it will be a difficult match. Still, he knows his teammates will bring quality and courage on the field.
Saucedo said the 22 hour long trip to Brazil is well worth being able to compete in the South American tournament, especially since he had never played in the Copa Libertadores in his 11-year career prior to this year.
“I would make this a daily trip if it meant playing under these circumstances,” Saucedo said.
Club Tijuana will have a full roster for this quarterfinal match Thursday at 6 p.m. (Pacific). The match is expected to be sold out for the match between the only Mexican club left in the tournament and one of Brazil’s best teams.
