Darkhorse Indios Earn Pachuca's Respect

Indios have nowhere near the history of their semifinal opponents but Pachuca does not respect the Ciudad Juarez club any less.

May 19, 2009 4:34:54 AM

More On :  Indios, Pachuca
Blas Perez y Cirilo Saucedo- Pachuca vs Indios (Mexsport)
When comparing the respective histories of Indios and Pachuca, there is little comparison. Pachuca have won five Mexican league titles and a handful of international tournaments, including Copa Sudamericana in 2006. Indios, meanwhile, were trying to stave off relegation just one month ago.

Now, though, both teams are on equal footing as the two will battle for a ticket to the Clausura 2009 final.
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Pachuca's Damian Alvarez, though, said his club was not the favorite of all the remaining clubs, let alone this series.

"There are four teams so the chances are the same for each team," Alvarez said.

After securing their position in the Primera Division, Indios qualified to the postseason in stellar fashion, scoring a goal deep in stoppage time against Chivas to book their ticket. Then, Indios stunned the entire league by beating defending champions and co-favorites Toluca in the quarterfinals.

"It's honorable the work they did throughout the entire season," Alvarez said. "I think they have a lot to offer."

Pachuca manager Enrique Meza praised his opponent's aura.

"Indios looks like a difficult rival to me," Meza said. "It's well known that they are well-managed and that they have an important mystique about them and that makes them dangerous."


To Pachuca players and coaches, Indios' run in the playoffs thus far has not been a fluke but rather a continuation of a strong end to the regular season.

"What they did at the end of the season - to beat Puebla, Cruz Azul and Toluca - deserves a lot of respect," Meza said.

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