Game 14: Cruz Azul 2 - 1 Pumas
Video here.Pumas's chances of reaching the play-offs decreased further on Saturday afternoon as they went down to a lacklustre Cruz Azul side missing Miguel Sabah and Nicolás Vigneri through suspension, plus Edgar Andrade though injury.
The key players for Cruz Azul turned out to be the experienced Gerardo Torrado, whose 28th minute goal gave the "cementeros" a two-goal lead, and novice goalkeeper Yosgart Gutiérrez whose excellent saves will continue to keep veteran Oscar Pérez on the bench.
Pumas began with Castro back in midfield and Fernando Espinoza at right-back. Tuca also continued with the Palencia-Solari partnership up front. Cruz Azul fielded two Pumas stars from the double-winning side of 2004, former captain Joaquin Beltrán in defense, and roaming free-kick specialist Jaime Lozano. A third, "Parejita" López was an unused substitute.
The game was very even from the start, with Cruz Azul in particular looking to unsettle the university rhythm by pressuring in midfield. Both teams were sparring in front of a packed house, not wanting to give anything away.
It was Pumas, however who were the first to give something away. Leandro, who had his worst game in living memory, saw his pass rebound perfectly into the path of Pablo Zeballos, and the Cruz Azul number 9 easily rounded Bernal to put the "cementeros" one up. Pumas created a couple of half-chances with Palencia looking sharp down the inside-right channel. But another Leandro error gave Cruz Azul the chance to go two up. A speculative cross from the right was poorly cleared by the Brazilian and when the ball came back he was too deep and playing the forwards onside. Attempting to atone for his error he rushed forward allowing Torrado to run into the space with a neat one-two before sliding the ball under Bernal who had rushed out too soon.
Apart from the goals the first half had been fairly even. Pumas offered little threat, a Palencia shot to the near post which Gutiérrez had to react sharply to was really all they had to show for their efforts. But Cruz Azul looked innocuous too, their main dangerous moments coming from Lozano, who forced a good save out of Bernal with a snap shot from the edge of the box, and who looked dangerous from dead-ball situations.
In the second half Tuca pepped up the attack by withdrawing Palencia and Barrera (who had been poor) and bringing on Iñiguez and Scocco. This had an immediate effect, as Scocco's extra movement and Iñiguez's pace began to open up spaces. In the 51st minute this partnership pulled a goal back for Pumas, with an excellent cross from Iñiguez being met between two defenders by Scocco who headed confidently past Gutiérrez from 6 yards out.
Pumas controlled the game from then, with Cruz Azul unable to get hold of the ball in midfield. Nonetheless as the "cementeros" fell back more and more, Pumas lacked the pace, movement and imagination to create chances and the minutes ticked by with little sense that the university was likely to score the equaliser. They did manage a nice header from Iñiguez from a Leandro free-kick which was beautifully saved one-handed by Gutiérrez, and a low Scocco cross which the young goalkeeper fumbled but which Solari was unable to finish between two defenders. The last chance of the game fell to Velarde, who belying the lack of faith in his shooting ability, hit a first time shot powerfully towards goal, but again Gutiérrez sprung athletically to turn the ball away.
Pumas now lie bottom of group one, and cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to qualify. Cruz Azul meanwhile look set for at least a repechaje place, although they are in a tough group with San Luis and Chivas for the two automatic spots.
The key players for Cruz Azul turned out to be the experienced Gerardo Torrado, whose 28th minute goal gave the "cementeros" a two-goal lead, and novice goalkeeper Yosgart Gutiérrez whose excellent saves will continue to keep veteran Oscar Pérez on the bench.
Pumas began with Castro back in midfield and Fernando Espinoza at right-back. Tuca also continued with the Palencia-Solari partnership up front. Cruz Azul fielded two Pumas stars from the double-winning side of 2004, former captain Joaquin Beltrán in defense, and roaming free-kick specialist Jaime Lozano. A third, "Parejita" López was an unused substitute.
The game was very even from the start, with Cruz Azul in particular looking to unsettle the university rhythm by pressuring in midfield. Both teams were sparring in front of a packed house, not wanting to give anything away.
It was Pumas, however who were the first to give something away. Leandro, who had his worst game in living memory, saw his pass rebound perfectly into the path of Pablo Zeballos, and the Cruz Azul number 9 easily rounded Bernal to put the "cementeros" one up. Pumas created a couple of half-chances with Palencia looking sharp down the inside-right channel. But another Leandro error gave Cruz Azul the chance to go two up. A speculative cross from the right was poorly cleared by the Brazilian and when the ball came back he was too deep and playing the forwards onside. Attempting to atone for his error he rushed forward allowing Torrado to run into the space with a neat one-two before sliding the ball under Bernal who had rushed out too soon.
Apart from the goals the first half had been fairly even. Pumas offered little threat, a Palencia shot to the near post which Gutiérrez had to react sharply to was really all they had to show for their efforts. But Cruz Azul looked innocuous too, their main dangerous moments coming from Lozano, who forced a good save out of Bernal with a snap shot from the edge of the box, and who looked dangerous from dead-ball situations.
In the second half Tuca pepped up the attack by withdrawing Palencia and Barrera (who had been poor) and bringing on Iñiguez and Scocco. This had an immediate effect, as Scocco's extra movement and Iñiguez's pace began to open up spaces. In the 51st minute this partnership pulled a goal back for Pumas, with an excellent cross from Iñiguez being met between two defenders by Scocco who headed confidently past Gutiérrez from 6 yards out.
Pumas controlled the game from then, with Cruz Azul unable to get hold of the ball in midfield. Nonetheless as the "cementeros" fell back more and more, Pumas lacked the pace, movement and imagination to create chances and the minutes ticked by with little sense that the university was likely to score the equaliser. They did manage a nice header from Iñiguez from a Leandro free-kick which was beautifully saved one-handed by Gutiérrez, and a low Scocco cross which the young goalkeeper fumbled but which Solari was unable to finish between two defenders. The last chance of the game fell to Velarde, who belying the lack of faith in his shooting ability, hit a first time shot powerfully towards goal, but again Gutiérrez sprung athletically to turn the ball away.
Pumas now lie bottom of group one, and cannot afford to drop any more points if they are to qualify. Cruz Azul meanwhile look set for at least a repechaje place, although they are in a tough group with San Luis and Chivas for the two automatic spots.
Goals
Zeballos (18 minutes) 1-0
Torrado (28) 2-0
Scocco (51) 2-1
Cards
Pumas: yellow: Castro, Palacios, Scocco, Verón
Cruz Azul: yellow: Chávez, Riveros
Player Ratings
Bernal 6: some good saves, but made a mess of coming out on the second goal
Velarde 7: starting to find a bit of form
F.Espinoza 5: his only passing options seem to be a square ball to Palacios or an aimless hoof upfield
Palacios 6: caught out for pace on the first goal
Verón 6: needs to be more proactive in starting off Pumas' attacks with more pace
Leandro 4: had a shocking game, the worst I have seen him play. Lost a lot of ball in midfield and little danger going forward
Castro 6: tried manfully to pick up the pieces left by Leandro and secured a lot of possession second half
Barrera 4: poor and listless - has not rediscovered last year's form
Sambueza 5: not his best game - spent much of it on the right, presumably on Tuca's instructions but I like to see him getting down the by-line and crossing with his left.
Solari 4: static, sluggish and uninvolved
Palencia 6: did some good work, and his movement is refreshing after Solari, but too often ends up on the right wing. He did his best work on the edge of the D.
Scocco 7: added some extra verve and movement to the attack.
Iñiguez 7: pace and movement, and for once not let down by his first touch.
Chiapas 6: did reasonably well, but should have come on for Leandro not Sambueza.
Tuca 5: made some good substitutions, but is still persisting with the poor Solari-Palencia combination. Has to take some of the blame for the lack of inventiveness and slowness in attack.
Elsewhere in Mexico
Mexican teams had a good week in international competition this week. Atlas put themselves within one point of qualification for the last 16 of the Copa Libertadores with a convincing 3-1 win over Boca Juniors in Guadalajara. Boca reject and ex-Puma Bruno Marioni netted two for the home side. Meanwhile Chivas kept alive their slim hopes of progressing defeating Santos of Brazil 3-2 in the Jalisco. Incidentally one of the Santos goals was scored by ex-América forward Kléber Boas. Pachuca advanced to the final of the CONCACAF cup despite losing 2-1 to DC United in Washington. Damián Álvares grabbed the crucial goal for Pachuca, and they now play Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the final.
Veracruz now look to be hot favourites to go down to Primera A after losing the relegation clash against Puebla on Friday. The poblanos' 2-0 win means they only need 4 points from their last three games to send the "Tiburones" (sharks) down. Even if Puebla manage only 3 points, Veracruz would have to win all their remaining games to stay up.
Five of the weekend's league fixtures ended in draws, San Luis drawing 1-1 with Tecos, Pachuca with Monterrey by the same score, and Necaxa 1-1 with Atlante, in a game watched by Diego Maradona. Monarcas broke their goal drought drawing 2-2 at Tigres but were lucky to earn a point with Fernández missing a late penalty for Tigres. On Sunday Jaguares earned a 1-1 draw in the Bombonera against Toluca despite the home side playing most of the game with 10 after Israel López was sent off, and Da Silva missing a penalty.
Atlas suffered a hangover after their midweek heroics, being thrashed 6-1 by Santos in Torreón with Vuoso getting a hatrick. Meanwhile in the Clásico, Chivas eased past América 3-2 thanks to a brace from Sergio Santana. Salvador Cabaños salvaged some pride for the Águilas (eagles) with two late goals, but América are now officially out of the competition. Chivas meanwhile have assured qualification for at least repechaje. With so many draws the positions for the play-offs remain largely unchanged with Toluca heading group 1, Santos group 2 and Chivas group 3.
Next Up
Pumas host Toluca on Sunday. Look out for Chivas's trip to Oruro in the Bolivian mountains to play San José on Wednesday, and América visit Universidad Católica of Santiago, Chile on Thursday. Mexico play China in an international friendly on Wednesday night in Seattle.
Veracruz now look to be hot favourites to go down to Primera A after losing the relegation clash against Puebla on Friday. The poblanos' 2-0 win means they only need 4 points from their last three games to send the "Tiburones" (sharks) down. Even if Puebla manage only 3 points, Veracruz would have to win all their remaining games to stay up.
Five of the weekend's league fixtures ended in draws, San Luis drawing 1-1 with Tecos, Pachuca with Monterrey by the same score, and Necaxa 1-1 with Atlante, in a game watched by Diego Maradona. Monarcas broke their goal drought drawing 2-2 at Tigres but were lucky to earn a point with Fernández missing a late penalty for Tigres. On Sunday Jaguares earned a 1-1 draw in the Bombonera against Toluca despite the home side playing most of the game with 10 after Israel López was sent off, and Da Silva missing a penalty.
Atlas suffered a hangover after their midweek heroics, being thrashed 6-1 by Santos in Torreón with Vuoso getting a hatrick. Meanwhile in the Clásico, Chivas eased past América 3-2 thanks to a brace from Sergio Santana. Salvador Cabaños salvaged some pride for the Águilas (eagles) with two late goals, but América are now officially out of the competition. Chivas meanwhile have assured qualification for at least repechaje. With so many draws the positions for the play-offs remain largely unchanged with Toluca heading group 1, Santos group 2 and Chivas group 3.
Next Up
Pumas host Toluca on Sunday. Look out for Chivas's trip to Oruro in the Bolivian mountains to play San José on Wednesday, and América visit Universidad Católica of Santiago, Chile on Thursday. Mexico play China in an international friendly on Wednesday night in Seattle.
posted by John Kelly @ 12:47 pm
0 comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home