Monterrey boss targets historic win over Chelsea at Club World Cup

12 December 2012 10:41
Monterrey boss Victor Manuel Vecetich says beating Chelsea at the Club World Cup would be the greatest moment in the history of Mexican club football.

Vecetich was hoping to send shockwaves through the tournament in Japan by winning Thursday's semi-final against the team he hailed as "the number one club team in the world". European champions Chelsea are overwhelming favourites to reach the final at the expense of their CONCACAF counterparts at Yokohama International Stadium. The same applied to Manchester United at the inaugural tournament in 2000, where they were held to a draw by Monterrey's Mexican rivals Necaxa en route to crashing out. Vecetich claimed a win against Chelsea would top that and become the most important club result in his country's history.

"Yes, without question," he said.

"The Necaxa game in Rio, I remember that.

"We want to make history. "I know our rivals very well but we believe in our own strengths. I believe we can win and we will try our best."

The year 2012 has already been historic for Mexican football after the national team's success at the London Olympics. Vecetich was speaking on Wednesday alongside two of the heroes of that Wembley triumph, defenders Hiram Mier and Darvin Chavez. Mier said:

"The Olympics were something when our dreams came true and we've kept it going by winning the CONCACAF tournament, and now we're here hoping to be champions." Chavez added: "Since my childhood I'd been dreaming of playing Brazil and at Wembley stadium.

"To have done that and actually won a gold medal, that was a very special moment for me."

The final saw Mexico stun Brazil, whose team included Chelsea star Oscar. Mier said:

"Outside Mexico, we are able to play a very high level football and that's because of the confidence we gained in London.

"In this tournament, the matches and opponents are very tough but we want to fulfil our responsibilities and do our best."

Source: team_talk