Atlante beat Santos 3-1 on Wednesday and joined Cruz Azul in the CONCACAF Champions League final.
The match was fairly exciting and intense but seemed to unravel at the end. The match was decided by Rafael Marquez Lugo, who converted a penalty in stoppage time to give Atlante the series-clinching goal. Three red cards ensued as a brawl broke out deep in stoppage time.
Now, I don't know if the call was a penalty or not. The referee called a penalty on Alejandro Figueroa for knocking down Gabriel Pereyra inside the box, and Marquez Lugo converted the spot kick.
I suppose one way around the officiating issue would be to allow for domestic officials in these country-versus-country matches. A Mexican referee would be used to the contact, fouls and dives that exist in the league, and at the very least there would be a lot more familiarity with the teams and the style of play because of that. It;s one thing for a, say Canadian ref to officiate a match between a Mexican and Costa Rican club, but when it's Mexico-vs-Mexico, just seems natural that a Mexican ref would best know how to call the game.
Anyway, here are the highlights.
Showing posts with label Santos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Santos. Show all posts
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Family affair
My tio Sergio is in charge of Santos now, as he replaced Daniel Guzman as manager.
Except, we're not related. But I can call him tio. I mean, how many Buenos are there?
I actually do have a tio named Sergio who lives in Mexico, but his last name is Valenzuela.
Except, we're not related. But I can call him tio. I mean, how many Buenos are there?
I actually do have a tio named Sergio who lives in Mexico, but his last name is Valenzuela.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Santos win first leg
Atlante got a road goal but Santos got the win in a 2-1 triumph over los Potros in Torreon on Wednesday.
Santos' Darwin Quintero, who has made his presence felt at different times this tournament, scored both goals. The second goal was a thing of beauty. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Quintero dribbled towards the penalty area on a quick counter. With Atlante's Federico Vilar well off his line, Quintero chipped the ball from about 22 yards out over Vilar's head and into the back of the net.
From the start of the tournament, Santos had stated their desire to win the tournament. The team has been dominant at home, having won all five of their home games during the tournament.
Santos' Darwin Quintero, who has made his presence felt at different times this tournament, scored both goals. The second goal was a thing of beauty. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Quintero dribbled towards the penalty area on a quick counter. With Atlante's Federico Vilar well off his line, Quintero chipped the ball from about 22 yards out over Vilar's head and into the back of the net.
From the start of the tournament, Santos had stated their desire to win the tournament. The team has been dominant at home, having won all five of their home games during the tournament.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Stunning match
What a game. I don't know how you top that kind of game, at least in this tournament.
Santos won 5-2 and won the series 5-4. They play Atlante in the semifinals while Montreal is out.
Two things...
* Anyone still doubt the dominance Mexican teams have at home? The last time a Mexican team lost at home... was on Wednesday when Pumas lost but they lost to Cruz Azul. The last time a Mexican team lost a game (in the CCC or CCL) to a non-Mexican team in Mexico was indeed Atlante as East River pointed out. Atlante lost to Joe Public during the group stage. Saprissa beat Monterrey in Monterrey in 2005, but on PKs. I checked the '03 and '02 tourneys but the venues weren't all available so it was difficult to tell if some of the Mexican teams' losses came at home or not. But no losses from 2004 through this year save for Atlante's setback to Joe Public.
* Montreal blew it. Giving up two stoppage-time goals is unacceptable. I don't care if it's a USL team or a high school team; allowing those goals under those circumstances is horrid. They showed they could play with Santos but they also showed their inability to rise up to the level of the game.
Santos won 5-2 and won the series 5-4. They play Atlante in the semifinals while Montreal is out.
Two things...
* Anyone still doubt the dominance Mexican teams have at home? The last time a Mexican team lost at home... was on Wednesday when Pumas lost but they lost to Cruz Azul. The last time a Mexican team lost a game (in the CCC or CCL) to a non-Mexican team in Mexico was indeed Atlante as East River pointed out. Atlante lost to Joe Public during the group stage. Saprissa beat Monterrey in Monterrey in 2005, but on PKs. I checked the '03 and '02 tourneys but the venues weren't all available so it was difficult to tell if some of the Mexican teams' losses came at home or not. But no losses from 2004 through this year save for Atlante's setback to Joe Public.
* Montreal blew it. Giving up two stoppage-time goals is unacceptable. I don't care if it's a USL team or a high school team; allowing those goals under those circumstances is horrid. They showed they could play with Santos but they also showed their inability to rise up to the level of the game.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Impactful win
Montreal upset Santos 2-0... but was it really an upset? During the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, Santos lost by two goals at Puerto Rico and at Tauro FC as well. Anyway, you'll have to wait for my Friday SI.com column as I'll be writing about the CCL.
Here are match highlights from the game:
Here are match highlights from the game:
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Four in action
Four Mexican teams will be in action on Wednesday and none of the results will count towards league play.
Chivas will play Everton in Copa Libertadores play in Mexico. Meanwhile Santos visits Montreal and Cruz Azul hosts Pumas in CONCACAF Champions League play.
In terms of results, Chivas' poor form could carry over into cup. Chivas need a victory over Everton as they need to maximize their home points. Chivas can ill afford to get a point and put themselves in position to get a road win or two just to advance. If they win, everything's fine in Copa. A draw or loss, and maybe the grumblings over Efrain Flores' job grow louder.
Meanwhile, Santos seems to be taking their Champions League effort seriously - at least that's what coach Daniel Guzman said.
This is in contrast to Pumas and Cruz Azul. However, Cruz Azul have six players out and suspended and will be forced to use backups.
Pumas, meanwhile, is fielding young players. They won't even bother to try and hide the fact that they are using only young players.. but given their horrendous league form, that may be a good thing.
Chivas will play Everton in Copa Libertadores play in Mexico. Meanwhile Santos visits Montreal and Cruz Azul hosts Pumas in CONCACAF Champions League play.
In terms of results, Chivas' poor form could carry over into cup. Chivas need a victory over Everton as they need to maximize their home points. Chivas can ill afford to get a point and put themselves in position to get a road win or two just to advance. If they win, everything's fine in Copa. A draw or loss, and maybe the grumblings over Efrain Flores' job grow louder.
Meanwhile, Santos seems to be taking their Champions League effort seriously - at least that's what coach Daniel Guzman said.
This is in contrast to Pumas and Cruz Azul. However, Cruz Azul have six players out and suspended and will be forced to use backups.
Pumas, meanwhile, is fielding young players. They won't even bother to try and hide the fact that they are using only young players.. but given their horrendous league form, that may be a good thing.
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