GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Atlas de Guadalajara earned a valuable point drawing 1-1 against America at Jalisco stadium here Saturday. The rojinegros are in a battle with Estudiantes UAG for points as both Guadalajara teams try to avoid relegation at the end of the Clausura 2012.
The field was wet and slippery making the ball travel at a faster than normal speed. The home team was able to exploit it in the first few minutes of the game driving the ball into the Aguilas area. As time rolled, America was able to recover ground. However, neither team could set up a dangerous play.
An error from Hugo Rodriguez almost gave America the lead. He accidentally centered to clear a ball that Christian Bermudez ran in to head, but the ball that was cleared.
Atlas continued their attack. Paul Aguilar cleared a ball on the line that ended in a corner. In the set piece play, Aguilar would again keep the ball from entering his net on the line. But Rodriguez recovered the ball, elevating it several inches over Aguilar’s stretched leg in his shot to give Atlas the 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.
Aguilar would make up for the earlier play five minutes later. “Hobbit” Bermudez attempted a pass that bounced off an Atlas defender. The ball went straight to Aguilar who jumped and tapped the ball with his head and put it over goalkeeper Miguel Pinto's reach to tie the game 1-1.
America suffered a big loss when Coach Miguel Herrera had to substitute goalkeeper Moises Muñoz who was assisted off the pitch after it appeared that he pulled his groin in the 62nd minute of play. Hugo Gonzalez debuted as goalkeeper and made several clearances in his time guarding his net.
The wet field played an important part in the game, as the ball danced to the rhythm of the water drops that dominated the pitch.
Atlas managed the draw that keeps them at a distance from the relegation position. Earlier Estudiantes UAG and Queretaro lost their games, which puts Atlas and Tijuana with an advantage on the relegation table.
Chivas, One Draw in Six Weeks!
Monterrey became the latest team to beat Chivas de Guadalajara this season. The Rayados took down Chivas 2-0 at the Tecnologico stadium in Nuevo Leon leaving the rebaño sagrado with five losses and one draw in the Clausura 2012.
Jesus DeNigris scored the first goal late in the game, at the 70th minute of play after he beat his marker to face goalkeeper Luis Michel and place the ball to his side to open the scoring. Nine minutes later new acquisition Angel Reyna scored his first goal with Monterrey with a powerful shot from outside the box that found the top corner to set the final score 2-0.
“The team has good balance,” said Victor M. Vucetich about his squad’s performance against Chivas. “We aren’t perfect, but we are forging a strong team. We managed a clean sheet, and keep moving forward.”
The Guadalajara-based team has only scored two goals in six games, leaving them in the bottom of the league table with one point from a draw against Pumas UNAM in coach Ignacio Ambriz’ first game. Chivas' crisis is not just in league play. The goats drew against Deportivo Quito of Ecuador at home with a last minute goal midweek in Copa Libertadores.
Other Week 6 Results
Chiapas 3, Queretaro 0; Pachuca 2, Estudiantes UAG 0; San Luis 0, Tigres UANL 2; Atlante FC 0, Toluca 2
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