TIJUANA – He doesn't smile much.
His demeanor appears stale at times. You won't hear him say something extraordinary. At least that's the persona Antonio Mohamed depicts in public, in front of the cameras and reporters.
He rarely dances around questions, even when they are not the easiest to answer. That is what you get from the new Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles coach.
Mohamed's attitude could be different when he's with his players behind closed doors and on the field. Whatever he is doing appears to be working.
The Xolos are 2-0-4 since Mohamed took over in September for the fired Joaquin del Olmo, who led the team to only six points during the first part of the season. Mohamed has also led Tijuana to back-to-back wins at home, something the Xolos couldn't do under del Olmo.
The Xolos beat Pachuca and Jaguares in the last two home games under the newly installed lights.
Tijuana will try to extend that home streak to three games and remain unbeaten under Mohamed when it hosts San Luis FC Sunday at Estadio Caliente.
The Week 16 matchup is the last home match of the Apertura Tournament and second to last game of the tournament. The Xolos travel to Mexico City to face defending champion Pumas UNAM on Nov. 6.
"It is going to be a hard fought game," Mohamed said. "We have to continue with the same intensity. We can't change our attitude. We must have the same intensity going after each ball and play as if this was the last game. That's the route we are taking."
The road the Xolos (3-5-7, 16 points) want to take is one that takes it away from the possibility of relegation to the Second Division. And there is still the chance Tijuana can sneak into the eight-team playoffs. It's a long shot. The Xolos must win their final two games and have seven teams ahead of them in the standings either lose or tie their remaining matches.
Chances are that is not going to happen. But finishing the season on a high mark is still a priority for Mohamed and his club. He wants to carry momentum into the Clausura Tournament, which begins in the spring.
To do so, The Xolos want to begin to build a strong defensive effort against San Luis (5-5-5, 20 points) while being aggressive with their attack.
"The objective is to do the same as against Jaguares," Mohamed said. "Keeping a shutout against a team with important players on a good offensive team is a priority."
The Xolos' defense has not allowed a goal in the last 120 minutes while San Luis is coming off a 2-1 win against Queretaro last Wednesday.
Tijuana's match against San Luis will be its third game in eight days.
"We knew this week was going to be brutal," Mohamed said after his team beat Jaguares 2-0 last Wednesday. The Xolos had played to a 1-1 draw against Atlante in Cancun four days earlier.
Regardless of the situation, you might not get a different expression from Mohamed. Maybe not a smile or an emotional outburst in front of the cameras. It might not happen if the Xolos win Sunday. Mohamed sees plenty of work ahead. You might get a smile out of him if the Xolos remain in the First Division. Until then, it might be safe to not expect otherwise.
ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Where to watch
What: San Luis FC at Xolos
When: Sunday Oct. 29, Noon
Where: Estadio Azteca
TV: TV Azteca
Outlook: The Xolos have become a different team at home in this Apertura Tournament, its first in the Primera Division. Tijuana has won consecutive home matches after going win-less in eight. San Luis is the No. 10 team of 17 in the league.
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