Repechaje

The two higher-ranked teams in the general table progressed to the Quarter Finals of Clausura 2008, but only just.

In the first repechaje game, Pachuca conceded a 1-0 defeat at home to San Luis with Coudet goal on the stroke of full time from the penalty spot. There were also two sendings-off surrounding the incident with Giménez going for Pachuca and Alfredo Moreno for San Luis. The "Potosinos" were incensed that Giménez was cleared to play in the return leg by the Mexican Federation whereas "el chango" Moreno was not.

In the end it did not matter as a Piríz header put San Luis 2-0 up on aggregate early in the return leg. Despite complacency conceding two late goals (one from Giménez) San Luis deservedly went through because of their higher regular season position.

Of the two Pumas veterans from the double season of 2004 (see picture) Gerardo Galindo ended up the happier as Necaxa were able to overcome Atlas who struggled to deal with the necessary 3 games in 6 days (due to their Libertadores committments). A 1-1 draw in the Jalisco on Thursday, including an "Olympic goal" (scored direct from a corner) by Juan Carlos Medina seemed to set up an interesting return leg. But despite dominating the second leg, and that playing the second half with ten men after Torres was sent off, the inability to score meant that Necaxa scraped through after the 0-0 draw, like San Luis, due to their superior league position.

This means that the Quarter-Final draw is settled.
Chivas v Monterrey
Santos v Necaxa
Cruz Azul v Jaguares
San Luis v Toluca

Copa Libertadores
América pulled off an amazing win in the Maracaná against Flamengo to win 3-0 and edge into the quarter-finals. Although two of the goals game from deflections, nevertheless the team seems to be playing with more conviction under new manager Juan Antonio Luna. And despite some reservations about his quality from this blog, Guillermo Ochoa madde a string of fine saves, and one which was out of this world.

Next Up
América's reward is a tie against Santos, while Atlas play again against Boca Juniors. Meanwhile the Clausura quarter-finals start this week.