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Monterrey face do-or-die Urawa clash
- CF Monterrey face Urawa Red Diamonds in a do-or-die Group E closer at the Rose Bowl
- Only a win can give Rayados a shot at reaching the Round of 16
- Stars Luis Reyes, Stefan Medina & Johan Rojas share their thoughts ahead of critical encounter
While some teams at the FIFA Club World Cup™ have had to dust off their trusty old calculators to work out the various scenarios that could send them through to the round of 16, CF Monterrey’s maths problem is much simpler: win or go home.
A victory over Urawa Red Diamonds at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday would give Los Albiazules a good chance of keeping their American dream alive – especially if the result in the other Group E match goes their way. Rayados have not lost a match since arriving in the United States, with two draws in two matches. “For us, it’s a final,” said Mexican left-back Luis Reyes. “It’s do or die for us. We know that getting through hinges on our performance, so we’re going to give it everything we’ve got."
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To secure a win over the Japanese side, who are out of contention and playing only for pride, Domenec Torrent’s men will need to step up their attacking game after a quiet start in which they scored just one goal, a Sergio Ramos strike in a 1-1 draw with FC Internazionale Milano.
“Even though we didn’t win our first two games, we were pleased with the way we played,” said centre-back Stefan Medina, who started against the Nerazzurri and in a goalless draw with CA River Plate.
Even with their loyal supporters packing out the stands in Los Angeles and spurring them on since day one, the Mexicans know they cannot rest on their laurels when they take on Urawa. Maciej Skorza’s men may have lost both their opening fixtures, but Rayados still need to ensure they get the job done in Los Angeles.
“We mustn’t underestimate them,” said Medina emphatically. “They’re a very intense, well-organised team with fast players,” added Reyes. “Tomorrow, they’ll be playing without any pressure, given that they’re already eliminated, which could prove even more threatening.”
“It’s going to be a match to remember,” summed up 22-year-old attacking midfielder Johan Rojas. “We hope to rise to the occasion; that’s what this work has been for. The fans have supported us and we don’t want to let them down; we want to reach the round of 16. We owe it to them to keep fighting in this Club World Cup.”
If they make it through, the Mexicans will leave Los Angeles for Charlotte or Atlanta, where they could cross paths with Fluminense FC, Borussia Dortmund or Mamelodi Sundowns FC, three clubs from three different continents. Medina, fired up by the challenge, feels “privileged to be able to compete against top teams” and described the FIFA Club World Cup as “a wonderful experience” so far.
