TIJUANA The Xolos trained this week with a new attitude.
After clinching their stay at least for one more year in Mexico's First Division, the team now sets its sights on qualifying for its first playoffs.
On Friday, Tijuana takes on the Tuzos of Pachuca in what promises to be an evenly matched game between the sixth and seventh teams in the general standings, respectively.
To do that, two key players will be returning to the lineup.
First, Duvier Riascos will play after serving a one-game suspension for racking up yellow cards.
And mid-fielder Joe Corona will be back after the U.S. U-23 team was eliminated in the Olympic Qualifying tournament.
Despite the setback, Corona played well, scoring four goals in three games.
He returned on Wednesday to the border region and traveled with the team to Pachuca and is expected to play at least a few minutes in the Week 13 match-up.
The Xolos have the second best defense in the Clausura season, having allowed eight goals in 12 weeks.
Last week the Tuzos beat Jaguares de Chiapas on the road. The Xolos will have to pay particular attention to Mauro Cejas, who scored a hat trick in that game.
During this week's training, the Xolos players acknowledged how tough Chiapas can be but said that if they to stick to their game plan they should do fine.
"This is a difficult road game, but we're going with the attitude that we we're going to win. We have worked very hard, have not let up at all. We're going to take the same approach," said forward Raúl Enríquez, who last week scored his first goal of the season against Atlas.
For his part, defender Miguel Almazán underscored that although the team is focusing on qualifying for the playoffs it's not ignoring their opponent.
"We need to continue to win."
alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
[sidebar]Game day
What: Tijuana vs. Pachuca
When: Friday, 7:10 p.m. (San Diego time)
Where: Estadio Hidalgo, Pachua
TV: Azteca América
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