Game 10: Necaxa away

Necaxa v Pumas
14th March 2007
Estadio Victoria

Video Highlights

Another two points dropped in a frustrating game, in which we showed what we are capable of, but also were the authors of our own undoing.

The fact that both goals in this game were scored from set pieces and by defenders speaks volumes.

Pumas started very strongly, and for the first 25 mins or so were comfortably in control, but once again did not take full advantage in the goal scoring department. Our only goal came from a corner, a good header went comfortably to the keeper who fluffed his handling, and Castro was on hand to pounce.

After this period, we let a poor Necaxa team back in. Then, once again, our Achilles heel, a free kick down by the corner flag. This was defended poorly, allowing our old skipper Joaquin Beltran in to score with his bonce.

Second half the Ariels, Chupa Lopez and Gonzalez came on for the ineffectual Palencia and Scocco. Chupa was OK, but no real improvement, and missed a decent chance, Gonzalez looked lively and so much more positive than Paco. From now on I firmly believe that Gonzalez and Scocco should be the partnership up front.

Sunday we will have the boy Parejita back, although Íñiguez did a good job today, Parejita is clearly a better crosser of the ball. Ailton may be back, too, although more likely next week.

Ratings:-
RoRo – 5 – not much to do, but came-and-went for cross for goal

Velarde – 7 – solid game, but not spectacular
Pikolin – 7 – another decent game, not sure where he was for goal
Veron – 7 – let Beltran got in front of him, although no one seemed to pick him up, as head of the back he should have made sure someone had
Castro – 8 – MOM – good at the back, and our most dangerous player going forward

Chiapas – 6 – back to form (subbed 66 mins)
Leandro – 8 – I thought he had a good game
Sancho – 6 –where was he?
Íñiguez – 7 – they don’t like his pace, but they do like his control

Palencia – 5 – you don’t have to go backwards to go forwards every time (subbed half time)
Scooco – 6 – better than Paco, and probably better than Chupa as well (subbed half time)

Subs:-
Gonzalez – 7 – half time – clearly our best, and most interested, striker today
Chupa – 6 – half time – not all that either
Moreno – 7 – hmmm, I had been drinking… not too sure

DT:-
Ricardo “Tuca” Ferretti – 6 – not positive enough. Also should have left Scocco on for ten minutes second half at least, although glad he’s finally realised that Palencia has only limited value in this type of game.

Cards:-
Necaxa
Boas – 17 mins

Pumas
Scocco – 6 mins – cannot remember it now, but I was bloody angry at the time
Leandro – 45 mins – I can remember this one, utterly ridiculous, and Chiapas had just been fouled, then Scocco’s legs taken away from behind, but it was Leandro just beating someone to the ball, and clearing it that was a free kick and a booking ….. gggrrrrr….. Nurse! ….. Medicine!.....

Goals:-
0-1 – 13 mins – Íñiguez corner, headed down, the keeper fumbled it, and Israel Castro pumped it over the line
1-1 – 40 mins – Two old boys doing for us, Gerardo Galindo took the free kick, Joaquin Beltrán headed home

Crowd:-
20,000

Elsewhere in Mexico:-
Great, great 2-0 win for Toluca over Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores. Thursday 15th March Pachuca and Chivas play the first leg of the semi finals of the CONCACAF cup, against Houston and DC United, good luck to them both. Back to the league, Cruz Azul got an exciting 3-2 win v Morelia to go top. Gabriel Pereyra got his first goal in nearly a year in the 88th minute to seal the victory. Veracruz beat Jaguares 2-0, and in the best result of the night, Monterrey beat America 1-0. They looked very poor. Atlante beat Queretaro 3-1, and Santos lost again 1-0 to Tigres. We are now 15 points ahead of Santos with 21 points up for grabs. Queretaro have 29 points from 27 games.

Next Up:-
Sunday 18th March we are at home to said Queretaro at noon. If we win, and Santos lose (away to Atlas) the difference would be 18, with 18 points left. Queretaro is more volatile, because of it being over only one season.