Tijuana, Mexico.- The Xolos of Tijuana on Tuesday converted a couple of goals in the last 12 minutes to beat Morelia 3-1 and take advantage in the finals of the MX Cup. Argentina’s Leandro González and Mexicans Bryan Colula and Erick Torres scored for the Xolos of Argentine coach Gustavo Quinteros and Chilean Martín Rodríguez, with Morelia beating compatriot Pablo Guede.
At their stadium in Tijuana, northern Mexico, the Xolos dominated in the first half and reflected him on the scoreboard by taking the lead in the 19th minute with a header from Gonzalez in a free kick. Morelia awoke in the last third of the match; he tied in ’62 with a cross-punch of Rodriguez to pass from Mexico’s César Huerta, from which the duel increased the pace.
Tijuana decided to win in 79 with a goal of Colula’s header in a corner shot and reaffirmed it with a well-charged penalty for Torres, in the 83rd matchback will be played in Morelia next Tuesday 18 February.
Xolos players celebrating a score against Morelia in the MX/Jam Media Cup
Santos and Monterrey A couple of hours earlier the Rayados de Monterrey of Argentine coach Antonio Mohamed, league champions, drew a goalless draw at the Santos Laguna home of Uruguayan strategist Guillermo Almada.El Santos Laguna had possession of the ball in the first half 59 by 41, but created few goal scoring opportunities and also missed a penalty. In his stadium Santos de Almada became the ball, gradually uneasy at the lag of the Rayados, although whoever gave the last touch was missing.
A hand in the area sparked a penalty in the 20 executed by the Chilean Diego Valdés, whose shot was stopped by the young Luis Cárdenas, who confirmed his good time of form after having become in December the figure of the team in which Monterrey won third place in the Club World Cup.
Santos’ party action against Monterrey/Jam Media
For the second half the local draw again settled better, but the Rayados planted well and secured the tie, which favors them because they will play the return at their stadium, in Monterrey, next Wednesday, February 19. This afternoon, at the close of the first leg matches Pachuca will receive Toluca and the Dorados de Sinaloa from promotion to Juárez FC.
