HOUSTON -- In a seemingly must-win game for both teams, Tecos UAG and Morelia met Monday night in Group A action in Interliga 2009. Fantastic goalkeeping by both teams, but in particular by Tecos goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona, kept Morelia at bay all night. A controversial goal in the 71st minute gave Tecos a much-needed 1-0 victory.
Tecos are led by their midfield dynamo Rodrigo Ruiz and all good things seemed to flow through him early. In the 6th minute, a Ruiz set piece fell to Tecos defender Joel Sanchez, whose beautiful back-heel went perfectly to Diego Jimenez. Jimenez's effort though was saved by Morelia goalkeeper Moises Munoz.
Ruiz continued to exert his influence in the first half in the 29th minute. A Ruiz corner was poorly cleared and fell to Mario Ortiz at the far post. The Ortiz shot was cleared off the line by a Morelia player and the clearance ended up finding Jimenez, whose effort was again blocked.
Tecos continued to push for a first half goal and they almost got caught on the counter attack. In the 37th minute, Ruiz had a cross deflect into the path of teammate Marcelo Sosa who was behind the defense. Sosa's shot was saved by the Munoz and the Morelia counter exploded down the field. Huge Droguett broke free down the left side and was breaking in on goal when Sosa tracked back and made a sliding tackle to prevent a sure goal.
The counter seemed to jumpstart the Morelia attack as the best opportunity for both teams in the first half came in the 44th minute. A poor Tecos clearance resulted in a turnover to Elias Hernandez. Hernandez quickly found Droguett again down the left side. This time Drouguett was in on goal with only the 'keeper to beat, but Corona stepped up to cut out the angle and saved Droguett's effort to preserve the scoreless first half.
The second half started out identical to the first with Tecos looking to capitalize off of the quality service of Ruiz. In the 53rd minute, Ruiz found Jimenez again and his header was placed well, but Munoz was once again up to the task.
Morelia coach Luis Fernano Tena had seen enough and turned to his bench. Having already made one change at the half, Tena also brought in Ever Guzman in the 55th minute. The move almost paid immediate dividends as some great passing between Marvin Cabrera and Andres Mendoza found Guzman at the top of the box, but his effort was saved well by Morelia's Corona.
Corona was tested twice more in a matter of three minutes. Guzman attempted to chip Corona in the 55th minute, but the keeper tipped the ball over the bar. In the 56th minute, Huge Droguett ripped a shot from distance but once again Corona was up to the task.
Tecos finally got the lead they were pressing hard for in the 71st minute amid some controversy. As Marvin Cabrera was down on the ground seemingly injured, the ball fell to Tecos defender Adrian Cortes. Rather than play the ball out, Cortes delivered a perfect cross to the far post finding Jimenez and this time the Jimenez header could not be stopped, giving Tecos a 1-0 lead.
Jimenez felt a little redemption after not scoring earlier, remarking after the game, "Third time's a charm."
Morelia was upset that no foul was whistled and that Tecos failed to play the ball out. Their complaints seemed justified as moments later Cabrera was subbed out.
Tecos coach Miguel Herrera disagreed with Morelia's complaints.
"It was a ball where Cabrera faked an injury that didn't exist," he said. "The rules of the game call for the team to play the ball out of bounds when there is an injury. However, when the ball is in play, you have to know where the ball is on the field. The referee judged the play well; it is just a through ball like any other."
The 1-0 lead held tight for the next 20 minutes as Morelia continued to press for the equalizer. Their best effort came in the 90th minute when a Andres Mendoza shot from 30 yards out was saved once again by Corona, this time diving to his left.
Moments later the final whistle blew, preserving the 1-0 victory for Tecos. With the win, Tecos now sits second in the group pending the outcome of Monday's late game between Pachuca and Toluca. Regardless of the result in the late game, one thing is for sure, Tecos will have an opportunity to advance out of the Group Stage with a victory in their final group game against Toluca; something they can thank a controversial goal and their 'keeper for providing.
Jimenez was happy with the goal, but more happy about the position the win has now put Tecos.
"I am very happy because the team won and we are now very close to being able to move on to the next round," he said. "I am happy more for the win than for scoring the goal."
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