Game 17: Pachuca 1 - 1 Pumas

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In a game that had the feel of a final, with some good quality football played, Pumas held on for a draw against current champions Pachuca and qualify direct for the Liguilla, while the Tuzos face a tough repechaje tie against Cruz Azul.

In the continued absence of Verón Pumas started with the same line-up that had put eight past Veracruz, and on a bright late afternoon in Hidalgo it was the University side that started better. The confidence from last week's game was clearly there as Barrera, Sambueza, Scocco and Leandro moved the Pachuca defence around and immediately caused problems, Solari putting a header over, and Cota cutting out a dangerous Barrera cross.

This little dominant spell led to the first goal of the game. A great ball down the right found Scocco who found space between two defenders with consummate skill and fired a curling cross towards Sambueza advancing towards the edge of the area. As the ball approached its second bounce Sambueza hit it left-footed first time and it flew right into the top corner. Arguably Pumas' best goal of the campaign.

Needing only a draw this gave Pumas some breathing space, and Pachuca had to work hard to pull things round. But they did just that after Cacho was booked for a poor foul on Castro creating a couple of half chances before drawing level from a long free-kick. Poorly cleared by Moreno, the ball fell to Caballero near the by-line and López headed his cross past Bernal for the equalizer. The goal was sloppy defending but nonetheless deserved for the approach play from the Tuzos during this period. Nevertheless Caballero's cross was made easier since Velarde had been impeded and was lying on the floor. It was probably not deliberate but it was unfortunate for Pumas at that time.

For the rest of the half Pachuca dominated with smooth possession football, although the Pumas side slowly raised their game to begin to probe for openings too. Pumas were making too many mistakes bringing the ball out of defence and the Pachuca front line forced Moreno, Velarde, Espinoza and González into too many aimless long balls. Caballero, Giménez and Correa began to control the midfield with Rodriguez finding space between Espinoza and González whose communication was sporadic.

The only clear chance though fell to Rey, whose shot from the inside left channel was blocked well by Bernal, with Moreno clearing the follow-up. Nevertheless Pachuca looked dangerous, particularly from set pieces, and the young Pumas defenders were looking a little panicky. It did not help that Paul Delgadillo was fooled a number of times into giving free-kicks for players falling over.

After half time, when Pumas came out late, they were much steadier and the game was very even. Alvarez replaced Rodriguez and then Chitiva came on ten minutes later and they invigorated Pachuca. But Pumas refused to be bullied and created danger of their own, particularly through the excellent work of Sambueza. But still Pumas were indebted to Bernal for two good saves, one on 50 minutes after an excellent cross from Alvarez, and one after a Barrera error let in the same player and the veteran keeper picked the ball off his toes.

Pumas were sitting deeper now with two men on Alvarez and Velarde having to work hard on Chitiva. Pachuca were basically controlling the game but with Pumas looking good on the break. There were even calls for a penalty for Pumas after a soft free-kick was floated into the box and Barrera was apparently impeded. I would like to be able to comment on this but the tv immediately and annoyingly went off to a Halls advert...Meanwhile on 63 minutes Alvarez nearly had a "gol olímpico" with Bernal flapping at a corner.

Pumas were still in it and creating good chances despite Sambueza's caution for a poor tackle on half-way, and Solari for not much. Scocco had an excellent chance from a Barrera cross but his powerful header was just too close to Cota and he tipped it over the bar. Then Scocco shot straight at the keeper after being put through by Sambueza.

Mystifyingly Tuca took off the most incisive player, Sambueza and put on the often innocuous Iñiguez. But Ismael did well and pushed the Pachuca defense around. Meanwhile Marquez came on for Pachuca and proceeded to miss four chances for them, two well saved by Bernal and one excellent tackle from Espinoza. And Barrera missed a reasonable chance after the ball was laid back by Solari, who in turn missed an excellent opportunity put one on one with Cota but unable to finish.

The last ten minutes were tense as Pachuca started to throw players forward and Pumas became nervous at the back. But Pumas slowed the game down with Palencia and Diego coming on and Solari and Bernal going down injured. In the end the home team were unable to make their superior possession count and will now have to rely on advancing through "repesca". But the slowing down tactics of the Pumas team, and the referee not adding enough time (they had a point) incensed some of the Pachuca players and Alvarez managed to get himself sent off after the final whistle. There was also some trouble in the stands as assistant referee Héctor Delgadillo was hit by a missile from the crowd (reportedly ice) and there were angry scenes not unrelated I suspect to Pachuca's inability to win in seven consecutive home games.

It has to be said that players who remonstrate with officials do nothing to calm the atmosphere in the stadium, and some sort of inquiry might be welcome so that these kind of scenes can be avoided in the future.

Goals
Sambueza (7 minutes) 1-0
López (15) 1-1

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Scocco (bad tackle - his fifth so may well be suspended), Sambueza (bad tackle), Solari (who knows), Leandro (mouth - again!), red: none
Pachuca: yellow: Cacho (bad tackle), Giménez (remonstrating with ref after the game) red: Alvarez (as Giménez)

Player Ratings
Bernal 8 - kept Pumas in it with a series of fine saves
Espinoza 7 - some good tackles but needs to communicate more with González
González 7 - battled well but flustered in distribution
Moreno 6 - at fault for goal and panicked at times
Velarde 7 - coped well with a lively Pachuca attack
Leandro 7 - drifted in and out but good at best
Castro 7 - worked hard but just lost out to Correa and Caballero
Barrera 7 - quieter than last week but some nice crosses and one lovely run
Sambueza 9 - easily the most dangerous player and wonderful goal
Scocco 7 - played well but should have scored
Solari 5 - very limited and missed a one on one.
Iñiguez 7 - fairly impressive and increased the tempo at an important time
Palencia, Diego - only on for a couple of minutes

Tuca 7 - clearly his team talk at half time worked to some extent. Strange he took off Sambueza who was creating problems and not Solari who was doing nothing.

Elsewhere in Mexico
Everything was decided in advance but some interesting games nevertheless. Chivas won a nine goal thriller (5-4) against Jaguares, Veracruz bounced back winning 3-2 at home to Tecos, América and Cruz Azul both won ahead of their repechaje games. Top team Santos drew with San Luis, whose two goals were penalties by Moreno confirming him as league's top scorer (18), while Atlante (4-0) and Toluca (2-0) both won comfortably against lowly Puebla and Atlas respectively.

Final table

1st Santos 38pts
2nd Toluca 34pts
3rd Atlante 33pts
4th Chivas 31pts
5th San Luis 29pts
6th América 26pts
7th Cruz Azul 25pts
8th Pumas 24pts
9th Pachuca 24pts
10th Morelia 22pts

Next Up
Cruz Azul v Pachuca and América v Morelia in repechaje this week. If Cruz Azul and América win Pumas play Santos, if one of them win they play Toluca, and if neither win they play Atlante in the quarter-finals.