GUADALAJARA, Mexico – In the game between two teams fighting to avoid relegation, Atlas and Estudiantes Tecos UAG ended their game in a 0-0 draw at the Tres de Marzo stadium here Friday. Atlas had more clear chances on the field, but was not able to score.
Both teams entered the pitch with the desire to earn points for their cause. However, neither team was able to penetrate each other’s net. Atlas had the best shot on goal in the 10th minute when Hugo Rodriguez struck the ball with an open net that went wide left.
There was no clear dominance on the field, but Zorros earned more set pieces in their attack runs. Atlas pressured Tecos on the field, forcing them to reach and commit fouls to stop the advance. At half time, Tecos had three players with yellow cautionary cards. The number of yellows received worried new coach Uruguayan Hector Eugui, who substituted defender Jose Castro. The defender had committed several fouls and had a yellow.
On a counter strike from Tecos, Alejandro Castro was taken down a few yards from the penalty box to win a free kick. Argentine defender Facundo Erpen received a cautionary yellow for the foul. Tecos did not take advantage of the set piece and the ball returned to regular play. The first half ended with a 0-0 score.
Venezuelan striker Giancarlo Maldonado had Atlas’ second clear shot of the evening when he received a center from Sergio Santana. Maldonado jumped to head the ball, but it bounced off the crossbar to save Tecos for the second time in the evening.
Both teams were depending on counterstrikes and the game moved back and forth with no team taking clear control. However, it was the rojinegros who generated the better plays.
Atlas Coach Juan C. Chavez made strategic moves with 20 minutes to play. He substituted striker Maldonado with midfielder Ricardo Bocanegra to recover balls in mid-pitch. He also removed striker Flavio Santos from the game and replaced him with striker Jahir Barraza, leaving him as the lone forward.
Eugui, coaching his first game, brought in strikers Braulio Luna and Eduardo Lilingston to increase his team’s attacking options. However, the players were ineffective on the pitch and made no difference, as Atlas continued with the better plays.
In the 85th minute, Bocanegra received a pass from Barraza as he crossed into the penalty area. The midfielder took a first touch strike that hammered the crossbar leaving the fans of both clubs gasping for air.
Eugui continues his undefeated streak as a new coach. However, this draw does not help Tecos as they end this week's play with 2 points in five games. The game was not much better for Atlas. The other Guadalajara-based team moves up to 5 points in the tournament and is still second from the bottom of the relegation table.
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