Cruz Azul (pictured) is training in Spain prior to its FIFA Club World Cup opener against the Western Sydney Wanderers on December 13, 2014, in Rabat, Morocco. (Photo: Mexsport)
MARBELLA, Spain – With its FIFA Club World Cup (CWC) opener against Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers less than a week away, Cruz Azul has been preparing with a training camp in Spain.
On the heels of a 13th place finish in the 2014 Liga MX Apertura, head coach Luis Fernando Tena is putting his squad through its paces before heading to Morocco.
The 2013/14 CONCACAF Champions League winner posted a 4-0 win over El Palo, a Spanish Segunda B side, in a friendly on Thursday at the Marbella Football Center. Hugo Pavone, Aníbal Zurdo, Pablo Barrera were on target for the Cementeros, who also benefited from an own-goal.
“We have the hopes of playing a great tournament, to give a good impression, play good football and with plenty of intensity,” said the 56-year-old. “We have to play at 100 percent. We are working on details in these days that we have left. We’re getting our rhythm. We’re in a good place and with a lot of joy and eagerness to do something important at such an important tournament. These next few days are going to be very important for us to go in at the best level.”
Cruz Azul has won a record six CONCACAF titles and reached a Copa Libertadores final, but this is its first CWC venture.
Goalkeeper Jesus Corona is looking forward to the test of facing the AFC Champions League champion on December 13 at the Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdallah in Rabat.
“We are enjoying each moment and taking advantage of this to try to prepare in the best way possible,” said Corona, who was in goal when Mexico defeated Brazil in the gold medal match of the 2012 Olympic Football Tournament. “It is going to be very important to take that first step. We know that it is a great challenge for us with which we are taking with commitment, with a great seriousness and we hope to take that step to be able to face Real Madrid.”
The Cruz Azul- Western Sydney Wanderers winner earn a semifinal meeting with the European king three days later.
