Al Ain: Just because no Mexican team has ever made it to the final of the Fifa Club World Cup it doesn’t mean Pachuca can’t, according to Los Tuzos coach Diego Alonso.
His side face Brazilian giants Gremio in Tuesday’s semi-final from 6pm at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain.
Progression to the final against either Real Madrid or Al Jazira awaits the winner at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City on Saturday.
“We don’t play with a Mexican flag in the middle of the pitch,” he said. “Don’t think that because of what’s happened in the past something different can’t happen with us in the future.
“This group of players can write their own history. We’re proud of those who have gone before us because they’ve shown us the way. They’ve even shown us that we are able to compete against teams with more economic power than us. We will keep trying and if we can do it then good for us.
“We’re not afraid; we will play our way and not be shy. We will be able to propose something even though we are facing a powerful team who are the favourites. They have solid elements that make that valid but we can also make some damage.
“My players are competitive animals and always compete to reach higher levels. We won two titles against Mexico’s most powerful teams recently against Monterrey and Tigres, so that gives you an idea of our power and what we are capable of achieving tomorrow.
“We will defend our dreams and the names printed on the back of our shirts will be remembered and pave a way for more possibilities to write history in the future.”
Despite numerous appearances, the best finish by a Mexican club in this tournament was third achieved twice by Necaxa in 2000 and Monterrey in 2012. The best Pachuca have ever done is fourth back in 2008.
