CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ACTION

TIJUANA –Club Tijuana de Caliente face the end of the group phase in the CONCACAF Champions League when it hosts CD Victoria of Honduras in a Group 7 second leg match (7 p.m. Pacific) at Estadio Caliente Thursday Sept. 26.

The Xoloitzcuintles went through its last practice before its match in the international tournament that gives the champion a ticket to the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup.

Coach Jorge Almiron’s squad worked on some conditioning and polished of the detailed schemes heading into the match against the Central American team. Almiron stopped by the news conference room at the stadium and spoke with members of the media.

“We play at home and we are facing a strong team just like all of them, Almiron said. “We can’t overlook anyone. We are at home and it will cost them to play here because this is a difficult field to play on. We hope for a great backing from our fans and hope they are there to be part of this game.

“We have identifiable players on the team and with the fan base and we see that in each practice, in each match and they know they have a responsibility with this city,” Almiron said.

Almiron said there is a chance that striker Herculez Gomez could make his debut with the club Thursday night against CD Victoria. Gomez has been out since the preseason with an injury but has since recovered and is at the coach’s disposal to play.

“Herculez was able to play last weekend,” Almiron said. “He played a half as we instructed Under-20 coach Diego Torres. He will play a half tomorrow to see where he is at.”

Thursday’s match will be the second time these teams meet in the tournament. They last met in the group stage during a Week 2 match when Club Tijuana visited Estadio Ceibeño in La Ceiba, Honduras with the Xoloitzcuintles earning a 3-2 win in an exciting match.

Tickets to the match will continue on sale Thursday (9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Estadio Caliente box office). Fans who bring a basic food basket with non perishables valued at a minimum of $100 pesos will get a free adult ticket and another for a child 12-years-old or younger. Those who bring such basket will access the stadium through Acceso 1 starting at 5 p.m.