Santos’ Sanchez Not Ready To Concede

Santos Laguna were no match for Cruz Azul as la Maquina won 2-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League series. Cruz Azul will head into next week’s decisive leg with a clear advantage and could even lose the match and advance to the semifinals.

However, Santos have not exactly lost hope.

“Our place will always count for something,” Santos’ Oswaldo Sanchez told reporters. “Also, they say that a 2-0 score is the most dangerous in soccer.”

Cruz Azul scored goals in the 58th and 68th minutes as Javier Orozco and Christian Gimenez each found the back of the net. Sanchez, though, said that the goals were more of a product of his team’s shortcomings than Cruz Azul’s persistence.

“The game was under control. There weren’t any chances for one side or the other,” Sanchez said. “We committed two defensive mistakes and that was the difference in the game.”

While Santos sent out their strongest attackers onto the field in Estadio Azul, including Daniel Ludueña and Christian Benitez, and still were unable to score, Sanchez said he has faith in his teammates.

“We’re hurting but in no way are we dead,” Sanchez said. “This team is capable of a comeback next Tuesday in Torreon.”