Group A of InterLiga 2006 will kick off Thursday night with a doubleheader at the Coyote Stadium in La Joya, Texas. At 8 p.m. ET Pachuca will face Veracruz followed by a match between Monterrey -- the losing finalist of the Mexican Torneo Apertura 2005 -- and Morelia at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Pachuca looks forward to qualifying to the Libertadores for the second consecutive year, advancing to the quarterfinals in 2005. Los Tuzos also qualified to the semifinals of the past Torneo Apertura where they were eliminated by the future champion, Toluca.
"We come in good shape," said head coach José Luis Trejo. "Like other teams, we are here hoping to find one of the tickets to the Libertadores."
Trejo is the most successful Mexican coach in the Libertadores. In 2001, as Cruz Azul head coach, he reached the final. That year, Cruz Azul lost the title against Boca Juniors on penalty kicks.
Veracruz comes to the tournament with their new head coach Alfredo Tena at the helm. Right now, the club is facing a rebuilding era. Tena acknowledges the importance of InterLiga, but he has said that the main goal is to protect the team's standing in the Mexican League.
"Our priority is to escape from relegation," said Tena. "If we get into the Libertadores, we will be glad to play it, but I am here because we have a trouble with relegation."
In 2005, Veracruz had 29 points, making them one of the candidates for relegation in the next Torneo Clausura, which starts in Jan. 21. Despite of the crisis, Tena seems optimistic about Veracruz's chances to qualify for the Libertadores.
"We have good chances, we have renovated and the team has showed a good response to it," said Tena. "We have read that we are the underdog, we do not have many stars, but let's see what would happen when the ball runs."
In the nightcap, Monterrey will take the first steps in the route to the Copa Libertadores 2006. Los Rayados are favorites to get one of the tickets after showing a powerful offensive game in the Torneo Apertura 2005.
"We know we come here with a good label, something we have earned with our hard work as a team," said head coach Miguel Herrera. "We are going to continue with the idea of being labeled favorites in every tournament we play."
Monterrey was one the leaders during the regular season of Torneo Apertura 2005 and the top scoring team with 32 goals in the regular season, plus another 12 in the playoffs.
However, the frustration of not winning the championship lingers, making InterLiga 2006 a good chance at redemption.
"It is a good opportunity for us. We all are convinced of reaching the goal, which is to qualify for the Libertadores," said midfielder Luis Ernesto Pérez.
The task for Rayados is not an easy one besides their good times and the reinforcement of Reinaldo Navia. Morelia is now coached by Sergio Bueno, a man famous for his offensive strategies.
"Sergio has a similar idea of the game," said Herrera. "They have good players and there are four teams willing to have the ticket."
Monarcas recently signed midfielder Johan Rodríguez and the forward Mauricio Romero. They join a poweful roster that already includes Rafael Márquez Lugo, Luis Gabriel Rey, Damián Álvarez, Mariano Trujillo and Fernando Arce.
"We know Monterrey is a team that has been the main protagonist in the past tournaments," said Márquez. "It is obvious that it is going to be difficult, mostly now that they have Navia. We have to concentrate, but I also believe they have to be careful about us."
Monterrey has won just four of the last 21 games against Morelia. Despite the results, Monarcas' head coach Sergio Bueno admits Monterrey´s achievements in the past tournaments make them a tough opponent.
"[Monterrey] is a difficult team. They made a great season and we just need to be focused and competitive to beat them," said Bueno. "We come here with a new spirit, and willing to have a good tournaments and earn the ticket to the Libertadores."
Morelia qualified for the Libertadores 2002. That year, they reached the quarterfinals, but lost to Club América. In 2004, they played the InterLiga but lost in the final, once again with Las Águilas.
Monterrey played the Libertadores in 1999, but they were eliminated in the first round.
Edgar Chrnko Salas is a contributor to InterLiga.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the league or its clubs.
