The Mexican coach has already coached in Guatemala and knows how to face Xelajú MC in the Central American Cup
ANTIGUA GUATEMALA - After his time with Deportivo Achuapa, Mexican coach Raúl Arias is familiar with Guatemalan football and will once again coach in the country when he faces Xelajú MC in the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup at the Pensativo Stadium on Wednesday.
Arias is currently the coach of CD FAS from El Salvador, which will start the 2023-2024 season with its debut in the international tournament, as the Salvadoran league will not start until the weekend.
Prior to the field recognition, Raúl Arias gave statements in a press conference and referred to the upcoming opponent: Xelajú MC, the current champion of Guatemalan football.
"The team that is consistently the champion has a different start and that happens in football. I definitely think they have a good squad, tactically they have a functioning that they dominate and that makes them dangerous. They haven't started the way they would have wanted, but they will always be a challenging team, it won't be easy," he said.
Regarding the international opportunity that the Central American Cup represents for CD FAS, Arias was clear with the message he conveyed. "This is a good experience for the club, it's motivation and an opportunity that has generated a lot of excitement in the team. There is a lot of emotion and enthusiasm in the management and the team, we must value that opportunity and try to take advantage of it," he said.
Regarding the direct duel with Xelajú MC at the Pensativo Stadium, Raúl Arias stated: "I think it will be a difficult match. All the teams that represent their countries have the aspiration to win and this will be no exception, it will be a complicated match. We come prepared and aware of what is at stake."
Finally, he highlighted the collective idea that FAS will present in their visit to Guatemala. "Today our team depends on collective functioning and that is the foundation. I am motivated that the team feels united and functioning as a team, I think we can compete."
According to what was mentioned in the press conference, the Salvadoran team will have four absences for the match against Xelajú MC.
???? | D.T. Raúl Arias: "I think it will be difficult, we are prepared for this type of games".
— Club Deportivo FAS (@CDeportivoFAS) August 9, 2023
"The team that is consistently the champion has a different start".
"The one who has greater adaptability is the one who will have an advantage". #CopaCentroamericana pic.twitter.com/358LGijC8W
Collaboration: Alejandro de León / Antigua Esportiva