2009 Liguilla Final: Monterrey vs Cruz Azul
By: Albert |
5 Comments
So we are all set for tonight. Lets review how the semis ended.
Morelia fought hard and played well. They even got the 1st goal in the 2nd leg game. But Cruz Azul scored 2 more to get the win and pass on. The controversial part of this game is the blatant handball by the “cheater” Joel Huiqui.
Check it out here.
Aaron Padilla, came out and called it cheating. While his own referees can be considered cheaters in their own right.
The other match was a disappointment for Toluca. Where is the Zinha we know and love? The Red Devils tied Monterrey and with a 2-0 win in the previous game, Monterrey gets a shot at the title.
The Final:
This is the final that I thought would be great. I had my doubts it would happen, but it has. Cruz Azul is a team that always seems to have a good team, but never gets anywhere. Monterrey is a team that is inspired, with an Aldo De Nigris who is on a high and people are even pushing for him on the national team. Chupete did throw a little fit with coach Vucetich, but has since apologized.
So tune in and get ready for a great match-up!!
Category: Playoffs
2009 Apertura Liguilla Semifinal: Monterrey vs Toluca
By: Albert | Add Comments
2 Goals from Aldo De Nigris put Monterrey at a pretty good advantage in the 1st leg of the 2nd semifinal. The first goal came off a great set piece pass from Chupete Suazo. De Nigris was there for a good header. I find it interesting that Suazo took the free kick instead of Luis Perez. Suazo seems to have found some good cohesion with De Nigris and a good target for goals, instead of himself being the target all the time.
The 2nd goal was even better. A pass to a running De Nigris who controlled the ball in the air with great skill and cut between two players to take on the keeper and beat him. Definite golazo!
There was even a third goal that Aldo should have made, but shot just wide. I would have tried to take the keeper to the right and beat him for the goal.
Next action is due for Saturday.
Category: Player News2009 Apertura Liguilla Semifinal: Morelia vs Cruz Azul
By: Albert | Add Comments
The 1st Leg of 2 is in the books. 0-0 tie in Morelia.
The match was hard fought and some would say Cruz Azul played defensive. Specifically Morelia coach Tomas Boy who even thinks Cruz Azul will go for another 0-0 tie in the 2nd leg match. Morelia definitely had more possession and some good opportunities. They couldn’t capitalize.
Tito Villa and crew didnt have many chances to challenge the Morelia goal, but JJ Corona was busy protecting his. He wasn’t making incredible saves, but there were some shots coming at him and I believe one crossbar deflection. Definitely not a boring match for a 0-0 final score.
Get set, tonight is Monterrey vs Toluca.
Category: PlayoffsLiguilla 2009 Semifinals are set!
By: Albert | 2 Comments
So, what happened over the weekend?
America vs Monterrey - America was rocking it. They had opportunities, clear chances for goals. One man stood up big. Jonathan Orozco was in the right place to keep America at 1 goal, then it was Chupete Suazo with the tying goal off a good play that took the heart from Club America. They had it in their hands. America still came close, with a near goal by Cabañas that just went wide. Chucho was sent off for apparently an exchange of words with Suazo. Maybe next season and maybe with Lando.
Cruz Azul vs Puebla – Another exciting game from Cruz Azul and Puebla. This time Cruz Azul took the win 3-2 with goals from Cesar Villaluz, Fausto Pinto and Julio Dominguez. Cruz Azul just might be for real!
Toluca – San Luis – Hector Mancilla is the man yet again. Toluca wins and advances to Semis. Even more clutch was the goal keeper Talavera. Toluca may just be back, we will have to wait and see.
Morelia vs Santos – Santos had some momentum, but lost 3-0 decisively to Morelia by a golazo from Thiago Matias and a goal from ex-cruzazulino Miguel Sabah as well as Mauricio Romero. Morelia looks to be strong, but more to come.
So set for Semifinals on Wednesday.
Morelia vs Cruz Azul - This will display Miguel Saba vs his old team Cruz Azul. I read that Sabah wasn’t treated greatly during his stay with Cruz Azul. There was the whole “he’s afraid” thing. Will he be afraid now? Or will he bring his “A” game to beat Cruz Azul. I think Cruz Azul takes this series.
Toluca vs Monterrey – This is another good match up. This is the best Liguilla I have seen in a while as far as matchups. Almost wanting to setup a Cruz Azul vs Monterrey Final. Dont count out Toluca. It would be epic for Chepo to take his team to the Final again. Monterrey is playing good, Toluca as well. This should be a very tight game.
Adolfo “el Bofo” Bautista
By: Albert | 2 Comments
So I was in Houston Reliant stadium one evening, long ago. There was a bald, semi-tall, good ball handling playmaker on the field as Mexico was taking on the USA. This was over a year ago, when Mexico Tied 2-2 with goals from Johnny Magallon. Bofo looked good as he used cut backs and good ball skills to make the US players slide and miss. It was impressive. It would have been better if he had scored or created a goal scoring opportunity.
It reminded me of an earlier friendly where Alberto “Venado” Medina dribbled his way around a group of US players with his speed and ball skills. We all know where Medina is as well as Bofo.
I think Bofo as well as Venado are talented players. Bofo just needs to get back in the groove he was in when Chivas got the championship vs Toluca.
Chivas and Bofo are talking. Apparently they headed to a restaurant. Rafa Lebrija, Real and Bofo.
Hopefully something can happen, so this good player can get back to his potential.
Oh and remember Parejita Lopez? 
Category: Player NewsApertura 2009 Liguilla | Quarters
By: Albert | 4 Comments
I’m back! yeah/boo
So last weekend Liguilla started.
Monterrey vs America – With the recent passing of ex-rayado, Antonio De Nigris, his brother, Aldo came out and scored the only goal to put Monterrey with the advantage heading into the Azteca this coming Saturday. America has been good playing well lately and started Liguilla with some good motivation from Pardo. We will see if they can pull it off againt a somewhat sentimental Monterrey team. My pick is for the wilas to take it!
Puebla vs Cruz Azul - This one was a fun game. 8 goals total in a 4-4 tie. Borgetti scores a goal to bring some excitement and pull Puebla up before halftime. I even liked his dyed line of hair. Meh, ok, maybe not. Cruz Azul came back and tied it up for a good advantage going back home to Estadio Azul. Cruz Azul is one of my favorites, despite past dissapointment in big games/tourneys. They ended the regular season on fire and have leading goal scorer Emanuel Villa. Jimmy Lozano got 2 goals for the Cementeros. My pick is Cruz Azul takes the next game to advance.
San Luis vs Toluca – Toluca, usually a strong contender has been weak of late. They took a loss in San Luis in the 1st leg. This is a toss up but I think San Luis will take it in a rowdy Nemesio Diaz.
Santos vs Morelia – Santos has been on a high as of late. With a new stadium, a win over Santos from Brazil. Some say Oswaldo is better than Ochoa right now. Santos got the 1st leg win 2-1 over a Morelia team that has been strong all season, with goal scorer Miguel Sabah. I think Santos takes this win and advances.
Mexican Final: Apertura 2008 Leg 1
By: Albert | 3 Comments
Dominating performance by Toluca in Estadio Azul in front of a full stadium. Toluca took the 1st leg with a 2-0 win in Cruz Azul’s own stadium and will face the return leg on Sunday in Toluca.
Toluca held posession from the very start, with some good midfield work and attack on goal.
The first goal came by an excellent pass from the left side crossing the field over all Cruz Azul defenders and on the head of Paolo Da Silva for a header past Yosgart Gutierrez. Some weak coverage by Jaime Lozalo gave Paolo enough space to get a good head on it and punch it past the keeper. An excellent pass from Zinha.
The next goal was off a free kick placed slightly to the right, in front of the goal. Sergio Amaury Ponce took the kick and put it just past the right post away from a stretched out Gutierrez. Once again, Lugo on the wall, halfway jumped and let the ball go just passed his head and into the goal. Failure of a good wall allowed the goal.
Cruz Azul couldnt generate any offense against the Toluca defenders until late in the 2nd half. Even then Cristante and company did their Job for the shutout.
Category: Mexico Football LeagueWeek 8: Grandpa gets a surprise
By: Albert | Add Comments
“Abuelito” Lapuente had a great expression on his face at the end of the Tigres – Pumas game. It was a tough fought game, with little Puma’s offense. Leandro Agusto was really missed. Tigres had some good chances and pressed the Puma’s defense.
Surprise, 90th minute goals, put Tigres away 2-0. The look on Lapuente’s face was great. Surprise, and anger. You could tell he was not very amused. Palencia did it for Pumas with a hard fought pass for goal. Then a goal of his own in minute 93.
Here is the rest of the weeks results:
Jaguares 2 – 1 Indios
San Luis 1 Р2 Am̩rica РDid San Luis give it up to their felow partner/father.
Pachuca 5 – 2 Chivas – Chivas is in deep. New coach?
Tigres 0 – 2 Pumas
Atlas 2 – 0 Puebla
Atlante 1 – 1 Cruz Azul
Morelia 2 – 2 Tecos – Tecos should lose from now on, with Herrera as coach.
Toluca 0 – 0 Monterrey
Santos 1 – 1 Necaxa
Category: Mexico Football LeagueWorst Jersey in Mexican League
By: Albert | 23 Comments
May just go to the Indios from CD Juarez. Check out the similarities between the jersey itself and the sponsors grocery bag.
Category: Mexico Football LeagueApertura 2008: Week 5 and 6 / Sudamericana
By: Albert | Add Comments
Holy Doble Jornada batman! That means we have games that happend last Saturday and Sunday as well as mid week games yesterday.
Yesterday in action:
Pachuca vs Puebla, 2-0. Finally a win for Pachuca and another bad result for Puebla. Chelis must be furious.
Tigres vs Atlante, 1-0. Tigres surprises and beats an Atlante team that was on a streak.
Morelia vs Indios, 0-1. Indios with their first win this season. Congrats.
Atlas vs America, 1-1. Diaz needs to get lost and bring back Brailovski. Ok, maybe I’m kidding. They are still struggling.
Necaxa vs Monterrey, 0-1. Monterrey with another goal from Chupete Suazo.
Chivas gets an important away win in Venezuela vs Aragua, 2-1. They were down 1-0, but came back to pull it off. Greatly influenced by Omar Arellano by the way. The guy is good.
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