In what has been a year with mixed results, Pachuca, at least for one game, reminded the soccer world of what they're capable of in a high-pressure situation.

The Tuzos certainly revived images of the Copa Sudamericana championship squad from 2006 on a Saturday afternoon in Tokyo, Japan. They displayed the "never say die" attitude that put them on the international map by obliterating a 2-0 deficit against Al Ahly with four uncontested goals to advance to the Club World Cup semifinals where they will face Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito of Ecuador. 

Speaking of their accomplishments in 2006, which included a Mexican Clausura title, important players such as Christian Giménez and Damián Alvarez showed the younger players that weren't around at that time what it takes to win a match on a big stage. Giménez contributed two crucial goals while Alvarez scored another in a memorable game in the short history of this competition.

No matter what happens in their next match, the team led by Enrique Meza has already boosted the image of not only the Mexican First Division, but also of the CONCACAF region that they represent.  Keep in mind that it was "one and done" for Pachuca in last year's competition after falling 1-0 to Etoile du Sahel.

This is not an unpleasant way to close out a 2008 that had mixed results. If you leave out their CONCACAF Champions Cup title, it hasn't been a very productive year for the Tuzos. In this year's Mexican Clausura they couldn't get past the now extinct "playoff stage". It went even worse for them in the Apertura, missing the postseason completely. 

Now Pachuca will look to become the first side from the CONCACAF region to reach the final of this tournament. For this to happen, they have to avoid getting beaten on counterattacks (as Al Ahly demonstrated on a scoring play) and to be prepared for long balls (another facet of the game where the African champions exposed the Mexicans).

Alright Tuzos, now that you guys have woken up from a slump that has lasted a year and a half, the pressure is on again. And while you're at it, show the world that the CONCACAF region can compete with anybody.

Pachuca now has strung together three unanswered goals, following the go-ahead score from Damián Alvarez in the 98th minute!

The Tuzos hold a 3-2 advantage over Al Ahly in the first extra time. This game kind of reminds me of how Pachuca came from behind to defeat Colo Colo in the second leg of the 2006 Copa Sudamericana fina.

With this result, the Mexicans are setting themselves up for a matchup with Liga Deportiva Universitaria de Quito of Ecuador in the Club World Cup semifinals.