Abu Dhabi: Mexican club Pachuca, who arrived here in the UAE on Tuesday for the Fifa Club World Cup, have been bowled over by the city and its hospitality.
The champions from the CONCACAF region, who are making their third appearance on the big stage, take on African club champions TP Mazembe tomorrow in the first quarter-finals of the tournament.
Head coach Pablo Marnin of Argentina said: "Having come all the way from Mexico, this is a unique experience for us. The city is wonderful and so is the hospitality and the facilities."
The Mexicans had their first training session yesterday morning and followed it up with another later in the evening.
Missing players
"We are really looking forward to do well both for the club as well as the country," said defender Leobardo Lopez, who has played in the 2008 Club World Cup in Japan.
"Now it is a different team and we miss many of those players. But we are a very cohesive unit and are keen to do something for the country. Everyone is excited."
Lopez's fellow defender Paul Aguilar, who was part of the Mexican World Cup team in South Africa earlier this year said: "I was very happy to play in South Africa but the World Cup is behind us and now I just want to concentrate and focus on the Club World Cup. We are very motivated to do well here," said Aguilar, who was part of the 2008 squad that beat African champions Al Ahly in their opening match.
"All of players are fit and we have no injury problems. The players have already adapted well to the conditions here and now we are ready for the match," said Marnin.
