Cruz Azul Steamroll Group Opponents On Way To Quarters

La Maquina lived up to its name, as Cruz Azul were a machine in the group stage, winning five and tying once during the CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Oct 21, 2009 3:41:26 PM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Enrique Meza - Cruz Azul (Mexsport)
Cruz Azul successfully wrapped up their initial CONCACAF Champions League effort on Tuesday with a 2-1 win over Costa Rican side Saprissa in San Jose.

The win gave la Maquina a nearly spotless 5-0-1 record through the group stage of qualifying as the Mexican club trounced all opposition in what was initially believed to be the Group of Death.
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Saprissa, Champions Cup runners-up in 2004 and champions in 2005, ultimately failed to do any harm to Cruz Azul, particularly in the group stage finale. Playing on the artificial surface at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in the Costa Rican capital, Saprissa did some things right but ultimately never worried Cruz Azul manager Enrique Meza.

"I saw a determined Saprissa squad, with a strong will, but they never dominated the match," Meza said in a post-match press conference.

Saprissa opened the scoring in the match just before halftime but Cruz Azul never wavered, scoring twice in the second half to put the finishing touches on an outstanding group performance.

"We tried to manage the movement, tried like always to have more determination than intensity, to always attack our rival," Meza said.

The win was Cruz Azul's second on Costa Rican soil in the last three months. Cruz Azul thumped Herediano 6-2 in their away leg of the clubs' qualifying series.


Cruz Azul will try to reach the final once more but this time will hope to win it. Meza has said all along this tournament that his team has taken the tournament as serious as league matches, and his message seems to have come across.

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