He was blunt.
His message was clear.
Antonio Mohamed made sure it was understood that his team still has a lot to do as member of the Mexican Primera División.
The Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles coach doesn't want his players to be overzealous after last week's 3-2 dramatic win against Pachuca at Estadio Caliente.
"This win doesn't accomplish anything," Mohamed said after the Xolos used two goals by Juan Pablo Santiago to earn its first home win in seven tries this Apertura Tournament. "We are fooling ourselves if we think we have accomplished something."
As much as the coach wants his players to remain humble, there might be one thing the Xolos accomplished with the win against Pachuca.
They gained confidence.
At least that's what most players are saying these days. The Xolos (2-5-6, 12 points), showed they can at least muster a win against one of Mexico's top teams this season.
It might be enough to give the Xolos the spark they had been looking for during the eight games they went without out a win. Its lone win before Pachuca came on Aug. 6, a Week 4 3-1 victory at Santos Laguna, the No.1 team in the league entering this weekend.
In this weekend's match-up, Tijuana travels to Cancún to take on Atlante FC. The game pairs the Xolos against the No. 12 team in the 17-team standings and a club that is coming off a 1-1 draw against Jaguares de Chiapas last week.
"I think there is spectacular motivation in my teammates," said Xolos striker Raul Enriquez, who scored a great goal via a free kick against Pachuca. "Winning gave us a great relief. But that is in the past, it's part of history. It was nice, we enjoyed it but there is plenty of fighting left to do. We are facing Atlante, which will be a difficult opponent but it can be a springboard if we can get a nice result against them."
If the Xolos can beat Atlante (5-6-2, 17 points) it can vault Tijuana to 15 points. And with some help along the way, it can be in the middle of the pack in the standings after spending the season near the bottom. Tijuana is the No. 16 team, two points ahead of last-place Atlas.
Atlante is considered a beatable team for the Xolos. A win there, and Tijuana could be in a favorable position with back-to-back home games next week against Jaguares on Oct. 26 and San Luis FC on Oct. 30 and the regular season finale in Mexico City against defending champion Pumas UNAM.
"There's two home games left and it's very important to get the three points for each one and why not also do it on the road?" Enriquez asked. "We are thinking about 12 points. We have the confidence."
And Enriquez and teammates can thank Santiago, in part, for that boost.
He gave the Xolos the lead after a 1-1 draw then sent in the game winner for the 3-2 win against Pachuca. He gave life to a packed Estadio Caliente stadium under the lights for the first time. And he almost didn't play. The Xolos were without three starters, Fernando Arce, Javier Gandolfi and striker Dayro Moreno. That gave the coach the chance to start Santiago.
"You always want to play and it had been a while since I was given that opportunity," Santiago said. "Thankfully, I had the chance to score goals."
The Xolos should feel confident about its chances to keep scoring goals. They will get Arce and Gandolfi back this week. Moreno is expected to miss the match against Atlante. Mohamed said Moreno is suffering from a bad cold.
Even without Moreno, there team might be enough.
Combine that with the confidence the players say they have gained this week and Tijuana might be on the verge of accomplishing something.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Where to watch
What: Tijuana Xolos vs. Atlante FC
When: Saturday, 7 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Where: Estadio Andrés Quintana Roo, Cancún
TV: Televisa
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