TIJUANA, Mexico – Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente continued adding points in the Clausura 2012 as they earned a 0-0 draw with Cruz Azul at the Caliente stadium here Sunday. Tijuana held the Mexico City club to a scoreless draw that keeps them away from the relegation position, while Cruz Azul concludes a busy week undefeated.
“We had an excellent week,” said Cruz Azul coach Enrique Meza after the game against Tijuana. “We won at home. We won in South America. Plus, we came out here and earned a point against a good team.”
Meza also spoke of his team’s performance on the pitch and their opponent’s game.
“I like how my team did overall, from challenging our rival, to their style of play,” Meza continued. “They are a dangerous team that plays the ball well. That’s how I want my team. To play well, no matter who we face.”
Both teams made several runs on goal making the fans cheer with excitement, joy, and fear. American Edgar Castillo continued the good form he has shown in the last few weeks. The defensive midfielder served several centers to his team’s strikers that put goalkeeper Jesus Corona on edge.
At one point it appeared the cementeros would take the game when Xolos goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo made an error on a clearance, sending the ball straight to Omar Bravo’s feet. The usually “crack” Bravo hammered the ball, but Saucedo dove to clear it and keep his sheet clean.
Colombian Duvier Riascos was also very active, trying to add another goal to his personal tally after last week’s game against Puebla FC.
Central midfielder Egidio Arevalo had a clear shot towards the end of the game. The Uruguayan international had the ball in front of an open net, but sent it into the bleachers.
The result favors Xolos, who are earning points in their fight to remain in the Mexican first division. Cruz Azul on the other hand is playing in two tournaments, the Clausura 2012 and Copa Libertadores. On Wednesday, the maquina celeste played in Asuncion, Paraguay where they defeated Nacional 2-1. After the game, the “blues” had to transit from South America, to the most northern tip of Latin America within a few days.
Cruz Azul did not line-up several of its star players against Tijuana, who would have made a difference against the Aztec dogs. Xolos were missing two key play makers in the midfield, Leandro Augusto due to injury, and Fernando Arce for accumulation of yellow cards. One can only wonder what would have occurred in the border town with a less tired Cruz Azul and a full strength Xolos. Either way, the result is positive for both teams. Cruz Azul remains undefeated with two wins, and four draws. Tijuana adds another point to continue their salvation.
Pumas fall on their own soil
The seven-time Mexican league champion Pumas UNAM took another stumble Sunday as they fell 2-0 to Puebla FC at the Estadio Universitario. Pumas lose for the second week in a row. The universitarios have not won since their 3-0 victory over Monarcas Morelia in week 2. This places another of Mexico’s big four teams in what soccer analysts are calling a “crisis.”
“I think that a couple, or even a majority of the players were below their level of play today,” said Pumas Coach Guillermo Vasquez after the game. “We played one of our worst games ever.”
Luis A. Landin put La Franja on the board five minutes into play after beating out the defense and pulling goalkeeper Alejandro Palacios from his line. Landin crossed the ball into the lower near corner to give Puebla the lead.
Defender Marco “pikolin” Palacios received a red card in the 60th minute, leaving Pumas a man down. Vasquez stated in the post-game conference that the loss of Palacios brought about his team’s end.
Seven minutes after the red card, American DaMarcus Beasley beat the local defense, passed to Spaniard Luis Garcia who hit the ball at midlevel to beat (goalkeeper) Palacios to set the final score at 2-0. For Puebla, the Beasley-Garcia combination proved lethal. If it begins to connect Puebla has a good chance to reaching the play-off.
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