TIJUANA.- With two matches to go, Xoloitzcuintles depends on itself to classify to the playoffs of the Mexican Soccer League.
With six victories, six ties and three defeats, the red and black team owns the sixth position on the standings. The team requires four more points of the six possible ones to grab the golden ticket.
Next week, Tijuana will face San Luis and will close the regular calendar on April 29 with the visit of UNAM's Pumas at the Caliente Stadium. According to the previous work of both teams on the field, the games should be easy but Xolos shouldn't take them for granted.
If the team loses or ties on the next games, their spot in the playoffs of the Clausura 2012 will depend on what Cruz Azul, Pachuca and Jaguares do since any of them could get more points or win thanks to the goals that they have made during the tournament.
The highest place Xolos could get is the fourth position which could get them the possibility to close at least one game of the playoffs in their house but for that to happen, they need to keep more points than Pachuca, Rayados of Monterrey and América.
Tijuana could make history in the next couple of weeks if they classify for the first time to the playoffs since this is their first year in the league.
Forward José Sand, who has made most of the goals in the team, (seven during this tournament) talked to the press at the end of Monday's training about the expectation of getting in the playoffs.
"Being in the playoffs should be the best thing for a new team, a team with a little bit of history that only has been around for a year in this league, a dream made true" mentioned Sand. "Once on the playoffs, anything could happen in soccer", he added.
The first stop will be next Saturday in San Luis, where Xoloitzcuintles will face a rival that has been eliminated of the tournament.
Alfredo González Tahuilán talked about the commitment of facing the Gladiators on their home.
"It's going to be complicated, they're going to try to end with a good performance in the tournament", mentioned the soccer player who once was a player in the other team. "We want to win over there, work on the game and know that if we win we are in".
The Tijuana team will continue with their trainings on the next days to prepare for their next match.
Video (spanish) courtesy of TJ Sports.
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