Game 5: Puebla 1 - 1 Pumas

Video here.

In an interesting and on occasions exciting match in the Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Pumas did well to hold off a determined Puebla side in need of points to stave off relegation. Although it was an open game it did lack quality, particularly in the final third where both teams were limited and unimaginitive.

Pumas started with Chiapas and Iñiguez in place of Sambueza and Barrera, but otherwise the same team as saw off Monterrey. Sergio Pérez and Mario Ortiz were new for Puebla.

The game, as it was to be throughout, started very open, and Pumas had just the upper hand in the first few minutes. Castro was lively and Leandro looked a class apart at this stage. In fact Castro came close to opening the scoring with a left foot curler from the edge of the box that was tipped away by Villalpando.

By the half hour mark however it was clear that Puebla were dominating. First Ortiz flicked on from a corner across the goal and then Bernal had to make two saves from Noriega who was looking lively down the right. The left flank looked more secure as Iñiguez worked hard to cover back and Espinoza looked focused. During this period Pumas were clearly holding on but the storm was weathered and as half time approached the game evened out and the teams went into the break level.

The second half began inauspiciously for Pumas when Leandro was booked for being near the ball and his opponent falling over. Meanwhile Puebla got back into the rhythm that had troubled Pumas in the middle of the first half. Pumas however had a much more profitable outlet down the left with Sambueza on for Chiapas. With the game so open Sambueza skipped past Brown and delivered a wonderful cross to Castro unmarked six yards out who managed only to hit the post with the goal beckoning.

Puebla were putting in a lot of effort and chasing down every ball. This made it complicated for Pumas coming out of defence and there were too many long balls. One such worry in defence led to a corner which led to the Puebla goal. The ball was poorly cleared and bobbled about in the area for a while before Brown appeared in the six-yard area to push it into the net. In the context of the game this clumsy defending by the Pumas back four was uncharacteristic, but nevertheless it was punished. Puebla had also been deservedly rewarded for their dogged persistance throughout the match.

The annoyance of conceding a goal obviously got to Verón who got upset with the admittedly very annoying Jorge Cámpora and punched him in the backside. While inexcusable the Puebla striker made such a meal of it that it was a good thing the referee was unsighted, if only to save him from the theatricals.

The game remained open and soon Pumas were on level terms. Solari turned well on the edge of the box. His shot was deflected from a Puebla head and found the bottom right hand corner: 1-1.

Puebla stuck to their task and were nearly back ahead after a Cámpora effort was ruled out after a foul on Solari by Zamogilny. They also had a penalty shout turned down when Olivera went down easily under the attentions of Espinoza. Pumas too had a half shout for a penalty as Scocco was barged off the ball deep in the Puebla area. The referee got both calls right and going into the final twenty minutes there was still all to play for.

Both teams pushed forward looking for opportunities but were thwarted by a lack of imagination and some stout defending. The nearest to a goal was when Solari missed an easy one-on-one only to have his blushes spared by being called back for an (incorrect) offside decision. The assistant referees made some pretty poor calls all night, especially since the grass was cut in alternating dark and light stripes every one metre down the pitch. Luckily it did not affect the result.

With much endeavour but little goalmouth action the game came to an end. Neither Puebla nor Pumas can be entirely satisfied with a draw, but it was probably a fair result. Pumas remain at the bottom of the general table and therefore their group, but close up slightly. Puebla remain just ahead of Veracruz in the relegation table.

Goals
Brown (58 minutes) 1-0
Solari (62) 1-1

Cards
Pumas: yellow: Leandro (attempted tackle), Sambueza (trip), Solari (brushing gently against a Puebla player's hip)
Puebla: yellow: Brown (hack on Scocco)

Player Ratings
Bernal 6 - made some good saves, but flapped badly at the cross for the goal and almost fumbled a weak shot with 10 minutes to go.
Velarde 6 - Improving slightly but still needs to work more on defence where Noriega did some damage
Verón 6 - Solid if unspectacular. Partially at fault for the goal
González 6 - A sound performance and seems happier on the right now with Verón on the left
Espinoza 7 - much improved and worked very hard
Castro 7 - A good all round performance but did miss a sitter
Leandro 6 - Started like a king but faded
Iñiguez 6 - worked hard to get back in defence and at the moment is offering more than Barrera
Chiapas 6 - did well but lacks the spark of Sambueza
Solari 6 - a little lucky with the goal but made the luck with a lovely turn
Scocco 5 - subdued and not really involved at all until the second half
Sambueza 7 - transformed the left hand side when he came on

Tuca 6 - Still not a polished performance but right to rest Barrera.

Elsewhere in Mexico
A very busy night in Mexican football. Tigres troubles deepened when they were thrashed 6-1 in Pachuca. While not helped by a couple of debatable penalty decisions and the sending off of Cubero, their defence was worryingly leaky. Rey got a hatrick for Pachuca.

Morelia meanwhile pulled themselves up after two defeats to overcome another poor América performance. Luis Landín could have had four, but had to be happy with one which he put through Ochoa's legs from a tight angle. There is an increasing amount of dissent about Ochoa's ascent and high rating, many seeing it as a crude Televisa ploy to increase his value. Many would argue that he is not even the best goalkeeper in the Mexican league, and he was certainly embarrassed here.

Jaguares and Necaxa shared a poor quality 0-0, while a fine Suazo hatrick gave Monterrey a 3-0 victory over Tecos. Veracruz and San Luis ended 1-1, with "El Piojo" still unbeaten, and Toluca and Cruz Azul finished with the same score in a game of missed opportunities. Omar Bravo grabbed two to help Chivas past Santos 3-2 in the Jalisco after the Torreón side had made a spirited comeback from 2-0 down.

Atlas gained a late draw against Atlante in a thrilling gmae in Cancún despite ex-Puma Bruno Marioni being sent off for a bad tackle from behind. A fine Maldonado free-kick had put the Potros 3-2 up with a half hour left, but substitute Ulises Mendivil popped in a header from a corner with two minutes left to give the "Zorros" a point.

Pachuca now move ahead of Toluca in group 1 with 9 points (Pumas have 4 in the same section); Atlante's point takes them above América in group 2 while Chivas are still clear of second-placed Morelia in group 3, and also hold a 4-point lead in the general table.

Next Up
Jaguares in CU on Sunday.