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Toluca President Shuns Status As Favorites
Toluca President Fernando Corona said his team has the same chance of a title as all other seven playoff teams.
Nov 18, 2009 8:56:38 AM
Los Diablos Rojos did nearly everything right and reached the playoffs as one of the favorites to claim the title. Advancing to the final was seemingly expected.
But things did not happen that way. Toluca failed to score a goal against upstart Indios and were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Now, the club is back and thirsty for success.
"We're not looking for revenge necessarily but we are confident in our work," Toluca President Fernando Corona told reporters in Mexico City.
Although Toluca are once again pegged to reach the final and strongly contend for the title, Corona shunned any such expectations and said all teams are on even footing.
"We are all favorites, the eight of us who are here, because this hasn't yet started," he said. "The superlider has an advantage but we haven't won anything yet. We still have to play the games."
Toluca will meet San Luis in Estadio Alfonso Lastras on Sunday, and will host the return leg one week later. And while Corona said his team are not prohibitive favorites, he said he likes his team's chances for several reasons.
"Say what you'll say, but we are the best team in Mexico over the last 10 years," Corona boasted. "There are some who say we're who knows what, but with the numbers we have in hand - we're in first place in league, first atop the percentage table, first in our group, but that's over. Now, we want the title."
Toluca however might face another dangerous opponent in San Luis. Much as Indios did a season ago, San Luis struggled through the regular season and reached the playoffs somewhat unexpectedly. San Luis showed signs of a strong defense early in the season but the club seemed to fall apart in the middle portion of the campaign.
Queretaro handed San Luis a 4-0 loss in the season finale.
For his part, Corona said the club needs to continue doing what they did during the regular season in order to have a chance at success.
"I hope they don't beat us because this team has worked hard and prepared well," he said. "I have a good managerial staff, good players, good front office and a good owner which is important, to support the team emotionally and economically in everything. The only thing left to do is to do our job to fight for the championship."
Goal.com
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