Tigres coach Marco Antonio Ruiz insists his team can compete in Liga MX and CONCACAF
The side has struggled in the league in recent weeks but remains intent on fighting on all fronts.
Tigres fell to a third consecutive defeat on Saturday, losing 3-2 to high-flying Toluca. Marco Antonio Ruiz’s side went three goals down after the early dismissal of Luis Enrique Quiñones but managed to late rally to salvage some pride.
That defeat leaves Tigres in seventh position in the Liga MX Clausura table after four defeats in their last five matches. However they have performed well in continental competion and have a CONCACAF quarter-final against Motagua to look forward to.
In the post-game press conference Ruiz was asked if he thought the side was able to compete on mulitple fronts, or whether they should concentrate there efforts on a single prize.
“As long as we have chances in both tournaments, this team is going to aim for both tournaments. In the end we are still in the qualifying zone and we know what can happen in Liga MX,” Ruiz said.
“We have been doing this for many years. Of course we want to enter directly, I still think we have a chance but it’s time to push. And in CONCACAF we’re now thinking about getting a good result on Wednesday with the firm intention of progressing to the semi-finals”, he added.
Despite Sunday’s setback, Ruiz insisted that he was happy with elements of the performance.
“Yes, on the one hand you are frustrated that all the work that we did with the team during these two weeks was spoiled by details, due to specific errors on our part.”
“But on the other hand I am happy to see the players begin to do what we ask of them, that they have self-respect. Soccer is going to have successes and mistakes, we have to keep trying and I have no doubt that the results will come”, he said.