Departing LDU Quito head coach Edgardo Bauza believes that his side can win the 2008 FIFA World Club Cup, although he admits that it will be difficult task due to the quality of their opposition.LDU will face Mexican side Pachuca in the semi-final of the competition on Wednesday, with the prize of a likely tie against European champions Manchester United in the final at stake for both teams.
Bauza feels that the same underdog spirit that took them to Copa Libertadores glory earlier in the year can serve his side well in Japan.
"We weren't among the favourites for the Libertadores, but we said that our opponents would have to kill us to get past us," he stated at a press conference ahead of the semi-final.
"It's no coincidence that I chose Norberto Araujo, Damian Manso and Claudio Bieler as the spine of the side.
"By putting some excellent Ecuadorian players around them we managed to convince ourselves that we could go anywhere we want and beat any team we chose. That kind of spirit is contagious."
Such a desire to succeed has clearly taken it's toll on Bauza, who will pass over his duties as coach to Jorge Fossati after the tournament.
"The fact is, though, that I'm very tired now and it might be counterproductive for me to stay on. We've come to the end of an era," he concluded.
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