Guzman: Players Never Stopped Believing

Santos Laguna coach Daniel Guzman said his players never quit, even after needing four second-half goals to get back into their CONCACAF Champions League series against Montreal on Thursday.

Mar 6, 2009 1:42:51 PM

More On :  Santos Laguna
Daniel Guzman- Santos Laguna (Mexsport)
Playing the way Santos Laguna did against Montreal on Thursday, the club would seem both accustomed to and almost in need of such a brand.

It may not have been the best way to go about it but Santos survived a massive scare by Canadian side Montreal in the clubs' CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series. Santos scored two stoppage-time goals and won Thursday's second leg 5-2 to claim the series on a 5-4 aggregate.
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"It's almost like we enjoy living on the edge," Santos manager Daniel Guzman said. "We deserved to win because of all of the work the guys had put in, and everything we risked. Since the first moments of the game we knew we had to score goals and I believe the guys did that very well."

Santos entered the match facing a 2-0 deficit. Things worsened for the Mexican team by halftime as Montreal held a 2-1 lead and a 4-1 aggregate. That forced Santos to score four second-half goals.

But Guzman said his team never quit attacking and never stopped believing in themselves.

"The intensity of the match never died down," Guzman said. "The players put their hearts into it and before our fans I believe that was a very important victory for us.

Matias Vuoso scored two goals and substitute Darwin Quintero netted both of his goals in stoppage time, the second four minutes into added time. Santos advanced and will play fellow Mexican side Atlante in the semifinals.


Having had such a scare, Guzman said his team is as determined as ever to reach the final and advance to the FIFA Club World Cup.

"We are very motivated to succeed internationally and make everyone know about La Comarca Lagunera and Club Santos Laguna," Guzman said. "I know we have to pay a high price and that there will be injuries along the way but we are going to try it."

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