Game 17: Pumas 0 - 0 Pachuca
Video here.Time has past for talking about encouraging performances and lamenting missed opportunities: but nevertheless in one of their better performances of the season Pumas came up short again and miss out on the play-offs in Clausura 2008. Pachuca who played their part in an entertaining game, where the interventions of both goalkeepers were of importance, sneak into the repechaje for the "Liguilla" after Puebla were unable to beat Atlante.
Pumas started the game with purpose, Barrera again given a start in a team with no changes. Pachuca started with eight of the team that lined up against Saprissa in midweek when Pachuca retained the CONCACAF cup, the most significant change, Juan Carlos Cacho coming in for Luis Gabriel Rey.
The early rhythm suited Pumas in the midday heat, and clearly disconcerted the "tuzos" early on. Indeed the university were nearly gifted a goal on five minutes when the otherwise excellent Correa misjudged a backpass and Calero had to scamper back to claw off the line. The referee quite rightly awarded a free kick to Pumas for the goalkeeper handling a backpass, but I was at a loss as to where it should be awarded since the offence took place right on the goal line. Presumably the ball has to be outside the six-yard box as the resulting free-kick, taken right on the six-yard line was predictably blasted against the wall.
The game began to even out as Pachuca found their stride, and Chitiva began to look menacing in front of the Pumas back four. Indeed he created the first clear chance for Pachuca, brushing off three Pumas players before sliding a handsome ball through to Cacho who beat Bernal but saw the ball rebound off the inside of the far post and straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
Both teams pushed forward without creating much danger, but both defenses, particularly Verón and Correa, were sound, although yet again Espinoza was leaving a little too much space down his flank. Barrera spurned one opportunity when he shot instead of playing in Sambueza, and Giménez put in a dangerous cross that Leandro just touched off Cabrera's foot. As the teams approached half-time it was developing into an interesting stalemate of little use to either side. Scocco tried to break the deadlock just before the break as he manufactured a free-kick on the edge of the area and proceeded to rattle the bar from the opportunity.
Pachuca clearly sensed that they needed to up the tempo, and the dangerous Damián Álvarez came on at half time. But despite that it was Pumas who appeared to see the necessity of getting the goal more urgently and Velarde and Castro in particular made ever more frequent sallies forward, Barrera coming especially close after Calero saved the youngster's free header from eight yards out. And the "tuzo" veteran made another impressive double save to deny Palacios from point-blank range after excellent work by Iñiguez.
This was Pumas's best period, and as the match drew to a close, with Chiapas and Palencia adding more weight to the attack, it was Pachuca who looked more likely to score on the break, with Rey pulling a fantastic save out of Bernal near the end.
Although it was a result that suited neither side, Pachuca had the good fortune that Atlante came back against Puebla, and they progress to play San Luis in "reclasificación". Meanwhile Pumas wave goodbye to competitive football until the new season starts on 26th July.
Pumas started the game with purpose, Barrera again given a start in a team with no changes. Pachuca started with eight of the team that lined up against Saprissa in midweek when Pachuca retained the CONCACAF cup, the most significant change, Juan Carlos Cacho coming in for Luis Gabriel Rey.
The early rhythm suited Pumas in the midday heat, and clearly disconcerted the "tuzos" early on. Indeed the university were nearly gifted a goal on five minutes when the otherwise excellent Correa misjudged a backpass and Calero had to scamper back to claw off the line. The referee quite rightly awarded a free kick to Pumas for the goalkeeper handling a backpass, but I was at a loss as to where it should be awarded since the offence took place right on the goal line. Presumably the ball has to be outside the six-yard box as the resulting free-kick, taken right on the six-yard line was predictably blasted against the wall.
The game began to even out as Pachuca found their stride, and Chitiva began to look menacing in front of the Pumas back four. Indeed he created the first clear chance for Pachuca, brushing off three Pumas players before sliding a handsome ball through to Cacho who beat Bernal but saw the ball rebound off the inside of the far post and straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
Both teams pushed forward without creating much danger, but both defenses, particularly Verón and Correa, were sound, although yet again Espinoza was leaving a little too much space down his flank. Barrera spurned one opportunity when he shot instead of playing in Sambueza, and Giménez put in a dangerous cross that Leandro just touched off Cabrera's foot. As the teams approached half-time it was developing into an interesting stalemate of little use to either side. Scocco tried to break the deadlock just before the break as he manufactured a free-kick on the edge of the area and proceeded to rattle the bar from the opportunity.
Pachuca clearly sensed that they needed to up the tempo, and the dangerous Damián Álvarez came on at half time. But despite that it was Pumas who appeared to see the necessity of getting the goal more urgently and Velarde and Castro in particular made ever more frequent sallies forward, Barrera coming especially close after Calero saved the youngster's free header from eight yards out. And the "tuzo" veteran made another impressive double save to deny Palacios from point-blank range after excellent work by Iñiguez.
This was Pumas's best period, and as the match drew to a close, with Chiapas and Palencia adding more weight to the attack, it was Pachuca who looked more likely to score on the break, with Rey pulling a fantastic save out of Bernal near the end.
Although it was a result that suited neither side, Pachuca had the good fortune that Atlante came back against Puebla, and they progress to play San Luis in "reclasificación". Meanwhile Pumas wave goodbye to competitive football until the new season starts on 26th July.
Goals
None
Cards
Pumas: yellow: Palacios (talk)
Player Ratings
Bernal 8 - one or two awkward moments coming out, but also some fantastic saves in what could be his last campaign with the club
Velarde 7 - is steadily improving and looked much more accomplished at the back while overlapping well
Espinoza 5 - it is looking more and more like Pumas need to find a new right-back
Verón 7 - again getting back to his best
Palacios 6 - sound at the back, but should have scored from Iñiguez's cross
Leandro 6 - too anonymous and outshone by Chitiva
Castro 6 - got forward with conviction, but left a little too much space in front of his defense
Barrera 5 - lacks consistency. If only he could find the level he had at the end of the last tournament
Sambueza 6 - not as effective today, but has had a good tournament overall
Solari 6 - more movement and a willingness to work but did not come off today
Scocco 7 - looked the danger man and unlucky not to score with the free-kick
Iñiguez 7 - incisive and took people on. He is an enigma, one game he is scintillating and the next a donkey
Palencia 5 - no time to do anything
Chiapas 5 - he needs to play more regularly, seemed to have problems adjusting to the pace
Tuca 6 - in terms of levels of play it has been an ok season, but he cannot be content at not making the play-offs.
Elsewhere in Mexico
Pachuca were crowned CONCACAF champions for the second consecutive time, defeating Saprissa of Costa Rica after a 2-1 home win saw them win 3-2 on aggregate. They will go forward to represent the region in the World Club Championship in Japan later this year.
Veracruz made their first division bow with a 0-0 draw away to Tecos, in an open game where Droguett was sent off for the home side. Lenilson Batista got a 93rd minute equaliser for Jaguares to deny Chivas victory but the 2-2 draw still sees them top the general table. Two goals from Ever Guzmán finally saw Monarcas claim a win, 2-1 against Toluca in Morelia.
Tigres overcame a lacklustre Necaxa 1-0 to end their campaign, while Atlas confirmed their place in repechaje with a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul, both goals coming from set plays. With attacking verve, and 2 goals from Christian Benítez, Santos moved up to second overall and condemned San Luis to repechaje after a 4-1 victory over the "potosinos" in Torreón.
América finally broke thjeir losing streak, a goal from "el Torito" Silva giving them a 1-0 over a poor Monterrey side, who nevertheless qualify direct to the Liguilla. Puebla were stung by two late Atlante goals, which saw them miss out on repechaje after a 2-2 draw at home. Gabriel Pereyra set up the goals for Maldonado and Bermúdez for the away side.
Velarde 7 - is steadily improving and looked much more accomplished at the back while overlapping well
Espinoza 5 - it is looking more and more like Pumas need to find a new right-back
Verón 7 - again getting back to his best
Palacios 6 - sound at the back, but should have scored from Iñiguez's cross
Leandro 6 - too anonymous and outshone by Chitiva
Castro 6 - got forward with conviction, but left a little too much space in front of his defense
Barrera 5 - lacks consistency. If only he could find the level he had at the end of the last tournament
Sambueza 6 - not as effective today, but has had a good tournament overall
Solari 6 - more movement and a willingness to work but did not come off today
Scocco 7 - looked the danger man and unlucky not to score with the free-kick
Iñiguez 7 - incisive and took people on. He is an enigma, one game he is scintillating and the next a donkey
Palencia 5 - no time to do anything
Chiapas 5 - he needs to play more regularly, seemed to have problems adjusting to the pace
Tuca 6 - in terms of levels of play it has been an ok season, but he cannot be content at not making the play-offs.
Elsewhere in Mexico
Pachuca were crowned CONCACAF champions for the second consecutive time, defeating Saprissa of Costa Rica after a 2-1 home win saw them win 3-2 on aggregate. They will go forward to represent the region in the World Club Championship in Japan later this year.
Veracruz made their first division bow with a 0-0 draw away to Tecos, in an open game where Droguett was sent off for the home side. Lenilson Batista got a 93rd minute equaliser for Jaguares to deny Chivas victory but the 2-2 draw still sees them top the general table. Two goals from Ever Guzmán finally saw Monarcas claim a win, 2-1 against Toluca in Morelia.
Tigres overcame a lacklustre Necaxa 1-0 to end their campaign, while Atlas confirmed their place in repechaje with a 2-0 win over Cruz Azul, both goals coming from set plays. With attacking verve, and 2 goals from Christian Benítez, Santos moved up to second overall and condemned San Luis to repechaje after a 4-1 victory over the "potosinos" in Torreón.
América finally broke thjeir losing streak, a goal from "el Torito" Silva giving them a 1-0 over a poor Monterrey side, who nevertheless qualify direct to the Liguilla. Puebla were stung by two late Atlante goals, which saw them miss out on repechaje after a 2-2 draw at home. Gabriel Pereyra set up the goals for Maldonado and Bermúdez for the away side.
Final positions:
1st Chivas 33pts (L)
2nd Santos 31 (L)
3rd Cruz Azul 31 (L)
4th San Luis 30 (R)
5th Toluca 27 (L)
6th Jaguares 26 (L)
7th Necaxa 24 (R)
8th Monterrey 24 (L)
9th Atlas 23 (R)
10th Pachuca 22 (R)
11th Puebla 21
12th Pumas 20
(L)= Liguilla direct (R)=Repechaje
The curious group system, which seems to have little point, sees San Luis lose out to the benefit of Monterrey who finished six points behind them.
Next Up
A long wait until 26th July for the opening game of next season (fixtures are not yet out). Fixtures to look out for this week: Pachuca v San Luis and Atlas v Necaxa in repechaje; Atlas (again) v Lanús and Flamengo v América in the Copa Libertadores.
Next Up
A long wait until 26th July for the opening game of next season (fixtures are not yet out). Fixtures to look out for this week: Pachuca v San Luis and Atlas v Necaxa in repechaje; Atlas (again) v Lanús and Flamengo v América in the Copa Libertadores.
posted by John Kelly @ 6:05 pm
8 comments
8 Comments:
I thought it was a relatively enjoyable nil all, overall. Mainly kept goalless from good goalkeeping, so that is no bad thing.
Maldonado’s equaliser for Atlante merited a mention, here is a video – it’s the first goal in that compilation a rare enough finish, I think. http://youtube.com/watch?v=dPtgmahlRMg
I am not entirely against the group system, it is clearly there to generate artificial excitement ($$$$$) but once you introduce play-offs and the like to create extra money-spinning games you may as well go the whole hog. Incidentally, before the usual “typical Latin American’s” phrases trot out, the lower English league play-offs and the Scottish “cut” are just as bad. The proposed “39th" game of the Premier League is really no worse an idea, in terms of so called “purists” anti-money fans…….
Anyway Pumas WILL NOT qualify for either season during 2008/2009 – the Group they will be in – Group B – is an authentic “group of death”. The four big-boys of Mexican football meet for the first time ever, check this:-
Group B 2008/2009
Chivas
Cruz Azul
Pumas
Monarcas
America
Tecos
I know no-one gives a fuck about Tecos, but if you do care about how the groups are put together I could explain it, if you have some time to listen….
I thought America were very lucky against Monterrey – still finished bottom overall however tee hee….
Finally – this season may have been mediocre for Pumas, but outstanding performance on this blog. It is truly the finest footy blog on the web:- bar none….. thanks boss, you are an example to us all ………….. Who was your player of the season? I am going for Scocco……………………………. again……………………………
player of the season will be announced in the season review coming up...
I am, unlike you DT, pretty much against the group system as I don't see it even as a money-spinner! It is completely redundant of meaning... why shouldn't the best six in the league go through, then the next four play off? But just to randomly (well...kind of) pick some groups and then say the first two go through regardless seems idiotic. I know there is MEANT to be some logic to how the groups are arranged (I have seen the theory) but as I say...it is pointless.
By the way, Pumas have a chance to qualify by finishing in the top ten places in the general table, which will get them to repechaje... Tough group though.
I do entirely agree about "artificial excitement"-the premier league 39th game just about takes the biscuit for money-grabbing anti-sport pointlessness.
I don't entirely agree that the 39th game "takes the biscuit" it actually is no worse than stuff that already goes on - play-offs to decide promotion after a 46 game season are jusr as bad - the Interliga is more or less the same thing.
And remember that the only reason it got shot down was that Sepp's ego was bruised because the Premier League didn't go to him first (not that they ought to have to - it's a domestic league and very little to do with him).
If they had gone to him with it first and allowed FIFA to run it I assure it would be happening next season, not 2010....
I am not sure I agree with you there. With the Interliga there is a "sporting" rationale of sorts - the teams invited are the top eight teams who haven't qualified for the Copa Libertadores already, or the Copa CONCACAF, or refused the Interliga invitation. With the play-offs in the Championship, for example, you still have to finish in the top six to play off and the resulting games are played on a fair basis.
The Premiership 39th game has no sporting rationale, only commercial. Why would you play one game a season against someone you have already played? Why should one team play, say, Stoke, and another Man Utd? Why not play two games at neutral venues and have them come out of the regular fixtures?...Ah, yes because the clubs don't want to lose revenue...money again. The group system in Mexico has no sporting value, but is not shameful commercialism either (I am not sure how it creates"interest" or extra cash, but maybe yu can explain) so the proposed Premiership system really does "take the biscuit"!
I had forgotten about Maldonado scoring with his chest - nice finish I enjoyed that. Thank you very much.
That free kick stuff in the penalty area could do with a re-think. Maybe a straight penalty ?
Anyway, thanks for the updates on Pumas throughout the season. Keep it up.
BlackComyn
You are bang wrong about the Interliga - it has no "sporting" rationale (OK, they are the top 8 who haven't blah blah blah - but you could say ALL clubs who had gained or retained Premier League status were invited to the "39th" game - they are equally tenuous.)
- Why can Mexican clubs enter the top international club competition in a different confederation? - MONEY only.
- Why is their a competition to decide, not just the (next) top two over the whole season? - MONEY only
- Why does it take place in a different country - MONEY only.
I am not an advocate of the 39th game, but in purely "sporting" terms there are equally absurd and "anti-sport" things happening almost everywhere outside the hated big top flight European leagues - as for a lop-sided season, some clubs playing others twice, not equal home and away games etc etc - it happens in Scotland - where was the FIFA outrage at that?
There is certainly a problem with these super rich clubs, but no one seems to be focussing on the real issue - whilst some clubs, for a variety of reasons - are able to operate at a loss (obvious examples clubs like Chelsea & Real Madrid - but, and this is very important, it happens at ALL levels) then that means all other clubs HAVE to over-spend simply to stand still.
Until that problem is confronted football will head towards the abyss - and stopping English clubs playing a game abroad, or limiting non-national players will do nothing to solve this and is nothing more than a smokescreen.
And it is an issue that affects clubs at all levels, not just the highest profile offenders.
I think, DT, we are agreed about one thing at least, that putting money before sporting concerns is detrimental to the game. FIFA is not going to get involved because it is itself a corrupt money-making vehicle.
I don't entirely agree with your reasoning about thee 39th game and the Liguilla, but that doesn't matter because I hate the idea of both. And I admire Tuca Ferretti for coming out and saying as much in Mexico.
Mexico also has a lot of the "entertainment" tat that is thankfully absent in Europe and South America (well, at least at the games I have been to). Silly half-time entertainment, music blasting over the speakers during game-time, cheerleaders and poxy mascots. Half time entertainment that I saw at Fluminense was an 80-yr-old man playing keepy-uppy round the whole park. No bouncy castles and nobs dressed as chickens...
Interesting comment BlackComyn about the free kick. In the Pumas game the handling from a back pass stopped a certain goal, so maybe it should have been a penalty.
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