Soccer

Mexican champion Tijuana beats Leon

Xolos has managed to get 2 wins in the same number of games played

TIJUANA, BC.- Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente continues its unbeaten streak at home Saturday night with a 1-0 win against rival Club Leon FC in a Week 2 match up of the LIGA MX 2013 Clausura.

The Xoloitzcuintles haven't lost in the regular season at Estadio Caliente since Santos Laguna left with a 3-1 win Jan. 29, 2012. That's 12 matches at home including two playoff or Liguilla games in the 2012 Apertura. It was in that tournament that Club Tijuana finished as the champion, its first title in the Mexican First Division.

And all the Xoloitzcuintles needed was a first half goal by Argentine striker Alfredo Moreno, who celebrated his 32nd birthday Saturday night. Moreno sent a ball into the back of the net seven minutes into the match. Club Tijuana would then keep the lead for most of the first half. Moreno took a Fernando Arce pass and buried the ball for the lead.

The win gives the Xoloitzcuintles its second win in the 2013 Clausura and six points in the overall standings.

Coach Antonio Mohamed's squad had a man advantage for a few minutes after Club Leon's Carlos Pena was ejected after being shown a direct red card for a foul over Fidel Martinez in the 69th minute. But the advantage didn't last long. Club Tijuana veteran midfielder Leandro Augusto was ejected in the 81st minute, moments after coming into the match as a substitute for Arce. Club Tijuana controlled the pace of the match with a fluid brand of soccer, keeping the ball and sending deep balls to the flanks at times.

The Xoloitzcuintles controlled possession for most of the half, constantly looking to attack, spending most of the half in Club Leon territory. It was more of the same in the second half as the Xoloitzcuintles did not change its strategy to continue trying to score.

"I think it could have been 3-0. They didn't threaten our goal for most of the match," Mohamed said. "I think our team was the best team. We threatened more than them. That was clear."

As for the unbeaten streak at home Mohamed credited his players for the results.

"The fact we're unbeaten is because of our players and their great work," Mohamed said. "It doesn't make it more difficult because we are champions. We are enjoying that right now."

The Xoloitzcuintles will now prepare for its Week 3 match up at Pumas UNAM Sunday Jan. 20.

editorial@sandiegored.com

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