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Consistency the key for surging Santos Laguna
A long-serving and consistent group of players has been the key as new league leader Santos Laguna looks to continue contending for honors in Mexico.
Jan 30, 2012 8:00:00 PM
By Nick Rosano
Santos Laguna_México_Apertura 2011
While Jose Sand's penalty had leveled the scores just prior to the hour mark, the result was never really in doubt, as Santos picked apart Tijuana's defense twice before capping off a fine performance with a late free kick from Juan Pablo Rodriguez, looking once more like legitimate title challengers in the process.
Even Tijuana head coach Antonio Mohamed admitted his side had been deservedly beaten on the afternoon.
"We are sad because we lost, they were superior to us, beat us well and in the best moment we had we gave up the second goal," he told reporters after the game. "Today the opponent was better than us, Santos' win is deserved."
It should come as no surprise that Santos continues to contend in the often-chaotic world of Mexican soccer. After nearly being relegated in 2007, the team bounced back and won the 2008 Clausura and has appeared in three more finals since then. Judging by its performances early in the Clausura, there's no reason to think Santos can't once more put itself in the final.
"The formula is work, [the players] always try hard, they have to be humble and they make the difference," explained head coach Benjamin Galindo after the game.
However, Galindo, who was only appointed at the club early in the 2011 Apertura, identified another secret to the team's continued success that went far beyond his managerial reign: stability.
"They try hard and they have been playing together for many years, and that makes things easier, I have a great squad," he enthused.
Indeed, while the Santos squad has had its comings and goings over the year, it maintains a steady backbone of players across the field, many of whom have been with the club since its 2008 championship.
Oribe Peralta, who is experiencing something of a renaissance both with Santos and the national team, has been at the club since 2006. Captain and starting goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez as well as Rodriguez, the vice captain, have been there since 2007. Jorge Estrada, Rafael Figueroa and Daniel Ludueña are all current team members that were part of the championship squad, while many more (including Carlos Darwin Quintero, a goalscorer on Sunday afternoon) have been with the team during its playoff runs.
While many clubs in Mexico suffer personnel turnover effected by everything from players going abroad to the all-too-frequent managerial chopping and changing, Santos has provided an exception by keeping most of its key players .
Still, Galindo is not taking anything for granted despite his inherited side's impressive record over the past five years and wants his charges to remain grounded.
"Four rounds in, many things can still happen," Galindo explained in his post-match press conference. "Here the important thing will be the consistency of the team and for that I have a great technical staff, this team has to remain like it is, be the protagonist of this tournament and we are on the right track. There will be defeats, but we must rise above them."
The weekend's other scores were: Morelia 0-0 Monterrey, Jaguares 0-1 Puebla, Tigres UNAL 2-1 Estudiantes Tecos, Pachuca 1-1 Queretaro, Atlas 1-0 Toluca, San Luis 1-3 America, Atlante 2-2 Cruz Azul and Pumas UNAM 0-0 Guadalajara.
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