Abu Dhabi: Concacaf Champions League winners and tournament regulars Pachuca of Mexico will take on African Champions Wydad at Zayed Sport City Stadium on Saturday in the Fifa Club World Cup. The action starts at 5pm local time.

With a semi-final spot at stake, Pachuca’s manager Diego Alonso’s sole focus is on the opening match and is banking on their brand of football to get across the first hurdle.

“We are very excited about playing in the tournament,” Alonso said.

“We were the champions of CONCACAF and that is motivation for us in this tournament. We have learnt from the past experience and are keen to do well here.”

The winner of this contest will be setting up a semi-final clash with Gremio of Brazil but Alonso is in no mood to think beyond this opening contest for the moment.

“First match against African champion Wydad is our final I would say. There is no doubt about the strength of the team we are meeting. We know our responsibility and we have chalked out the tactics to win the match,” said Alonso, whose team missed out on a place in the Mexican league championship play-offs but have come into the Club World Cup at the back of a strong run in the Copa MX, the final of which will be played on December 21.

Under the leadership of Alonso, Pachuca have become a team with an offensive mindset and been very effective credit to the free-scoring Victor Guzman and mid-fielder Jonathan Urretaviscaya. Keisuke Honda will be another the player to watch out for but the man in focus will be their veteran custodian Oscar Perez.

At 44, the man they call El Conejo “The Rabbit” has already achieved what most footballers can only dream of. However, this tournament serves him with a huge opportunity to end his 24-year career on a high.

“I feel great to be participating in the Club World Cup and the experience is going to be great. It is amazing to be here. I want to be on the pitch no matter what happens tomorrow, we want to give our best,” said Perez.

“We want to participate in a good way. We want to make history. To say that a Mexican team can play in a final would be a good thing. Want to put Mexico on a high and the name of Pachuca at the top.”

Perez went on to add that there was no pressure on his team as they have the experience of playing in this tournament in the past.

“Pachuca has already played in the club and hence there is a lot of excitement.” he said. “We have to improve on what we have done before. I think more than pressure, this is a good chance for us. We want to go forward.”

Perez’s teammate and mid-fielder Jorge Hernandez rated their opposition Wydad Athletic Club as a well-organised side.

“It is a team that is very organised and plays very well on counter attacks and takes advantage of the spaces. We have to find a way to be more organised and don’t allow spaces for them. We have a good mix of players who play in the Mexican League and for the national team and that’s the reason we are here in this Club World Cup. Hence we are upbeat about our chances.”

Fixtures

Today

Pachuca v Wydad Casablanca, 5pm

Al Jazira v Urawa Reds, 8.30pm

Matches shown on beIN Sports