Game 12: Pumas 3 - 0 Tigres
VideoIn a curiously unexciting game in CU Pumas managed to waste a host of chances and still run out 3-0 winners over a desperately limited Tigres side. The boys from the University of Nuevo Leon are now in poor shape in the relegation table, only propped up by Veracruz. Pumas meanwhile moved back into second place in group 1 and to fifth overall.
Because of the absences of Castro and Verón on international duty (am I the only one who thinks that being obliged to play in a friendly international instead of a competitive club game is lunacy?) Pumas lined up with Carlos Humberto González at the back, and Jehu Chiapas in midfield as he was last week. Fernando Espinoza made a welcome return and both Sambueza and Barrera started.
Right from the off Pumas were in control of the game, and Tigres looked as poor as their position in the table suggests. Despite spending a good deal of money over the summer things have not really worked out for them. Scocco and Solari, the up-front Argentinian duo seemed to be falling over themselves to miss chances, one in particular from Solari which he spooned over the bar from close range was particularly spectacular. Nevertheless Solari showed he his much more comfortable with his head and after twenty minutes finally put Pumas into the lead, from a Scocco cross.
Tigres meanwhile offered little in return apart from a few aimless crosses, but they must have had a stern talking to at half time, because they emerged with much more purpose and for the first 15 minutes or so of the second half they had Pumas on the back foot (a poor-looking Kikín having been replaced by García). They created very few clear openings but there was a free kick that went just wide and a couple of half-decent shots from distance. Then it looked like Tigres were level but León's effort was ruled out for offside. The through ball was just touched by Marino and the call was good.
Almost immediately Pumas were two up. Saucedo fluffed his save from a sharp long-range effort from Scocco, and Sambueza pounced to flick the ball in with the outside of his boot. From then on there was no way back, and although Pumas created nothing special they were always in control and were gifted a third goal on 76 minutes when a Solari header from a Leandro free kick hit a Tigres hand and Scocco powerfully converted from the spot.
Barrera in the first half and Leandro in the second were the players who stood out for Pumas, and it was nice to see youngsters come on at the end, with Salvador Medina making his debut. Meanwhile Marino contrived to get himself sent off when making a senseless challenge on Velarde.
Goals
Solari (20 mins) 1-0
Sambueza (61) 2-0
Scocco (pen)(76) 3-0
Cards
Pumas yellow: Velarde, González, Leandro
Tigres yellow: Ruiz, Cubero, Ayala, Chávez; red: Marino (2 yellows)
Player ratings:
Bernal 6 - made one good save near the end and had a comfortable afternoon otherwise.
Velarde 6 - untroubled
Espinoza 7 - impresses me more and more
Gonzalez 6 - Solid but needs to work on distribution
Moreno 7 - Sound, but looks better alongside Verón
Leandro 7 - Got through a lot of work
Barrera 8 - Parejita who?
Sambueza 7 - caused some trouble
Scocco 7 - redeemed himself with a good pen and assists for the goal
Solari 6 - poor but still scored
Iñiguez 5 - did little to change the game
Santana & Medina - only on for a few minutes.
Tuca 8 - rearranged the team well with the absences of Verón, Palencia, Castro and Diego. Lucky to have such poor opposition.
Elsewhere in Mexico
Well, well. The top two, Santos and Atlante both lost, Santos surprisingly to Tecos, and Atlante to Pachuca, but they still remain in the top two spots. Toluca consolidated third place and top of group one with Wednesday night's draw in Monterrey, while Chivas smashed five past Necaxa to stay top of group three. América's poor run continues with a nil all draw at home to Veracruz.
Next up
A tricky away tie in San Luis on Saturday afternoon.
posted by John Kelly @ 8:01 pm
3 comments
3 Comments:
I agree with most of this, but would rather point the finger at clubs/leagues that don't recognise the FIFA international dates ....
I think the main reason it was "curiously unexciting" was because of the timing of the second goal, it was during Tigres best period, and came out of nowhere and killed the game.
I thought we looked much better at 0-0 then at 1-0, maybe thats why they don't want to score? Sambueza, Solari and Scocco really showing some good understanding now, but they've got to bury their clear-cut chances, let alone half-chances, especially against better opposition.
Astonished Barrera got man of the match, his crossing is awful, not as surprised as Gerrard getting it for Estonia, but pretty close.
What did you think of penalty? TV said it should not have been given, because it was accidental. I thought the ref got this one spot on ... the hand clearly inteferred with the trajectory of the ball, heading goalwise - penalty. But it was clearly not deliberate:- no card.
Incidently Pachuca became the first team to beat Atlante in Cancun, just as they were the last to beat them in DF.
Great report again, better than mine used to be.....
Yes I agree - the Mexican league should observe international dates, but if there is a league programme and no qualifying game, why organise a pointless friendly?
The second half was a damp squib mostly, as you say, because of the timing of the second goal.
Barrera was a real threat, particularly first half, although I admit his crossing could do with some work. Actually the Pumas team playh well as a unit, and without our two best players (arguably) Verón and Castro still did a decent job.
I kind of agree on the penalty - if a header is going goalwards and is stopped by a hand, however unintentional then it should be a penalty. That said it was a little harsh in Tigres for whom nothing was going right. And of course I agree you shouldn't give a card for it, but I am not sure of the FIFA directive on that. Is handball + penalty an automatic yellow?
Ominously Pachuca are getting back to form just before we play them. We have four tough games in the final five: Pachuca, Toluca, San Luis and Cruz Azul, with the only lowly team left Veracruz.
Actually about the pointless friendly: - Veron was involved in the squad for World Cup qualifiers, but I don't think he played: - but they are, to be fair, real games... they got a good draw in Lima, and beat Uruguay at home, by the way...
It is a bit odd just how bad Tigres are:- they do have some decent players, even some fine players, and Tolo Gallego has proved himself a top class manager:- I am not sure why he went there, the squad does not really suit him, and he has proved himself with better teams:- why bother? And how can they sort themselves out?
Once again I do have to say what great reports you are writing, big fella, … when I go back to them I just get more and see more … nuff r’spect … and fist punching all round ….
Post a Comment
<< Home