Sports

Dramatic goal gives Xolos win against Monterrey

Undefeated Tijuana has best season start

TIJUANA--The drum beats, horns, whistles and cheers were the same. The red and black flags waving in a sea of mostly red clad fans at sold out Estadio Caliente were also familiar.

And so were the cups of beer flying into the air from the stands. That same ritual after a goal by the home team lived on Saturday night.

This time, the beer splashed onto the crowd celebrating Javier Gandolfi's goal as time expired that gave Club Tijuana a 1-0 win against visiting Monterrey in a Week 2 match-up.

The fluids and sounds came pouring down as the Xolos are off to a fast start in the 2012 Clausura tournament.

Tijuana is undefeated in two matches with a 1-0-1 record with four points after playing to a 1-1 draw at Morelia in the season opener last week. It is the club's best start since earning promotion to Mexico's top flight league, the Primera División. The Xolos made its First Division debut last summer starting the Apertura tournament with consecutive losses, including a 4-2 outing to Monterrey after taking a 2-0 lead on the road.

But those were the inexperienced Xolos, who wore new red home jerseys to commemorate the club's fifth year in existence.

With one complete tournament in the books, the Xolos are looking to remain in the First Division.

After all, Tijuana is a team trying to avoid relegation. The Xolos, now unbeaten in 11 matches since Antonio Mohamed took over as coach during the Apertura tournament, sit ahead of Estudiantes Tecos in the relegation standings. Tecos lost to San Luis Friday night and Atlas, the other team in danger of relegation lost to Cruz Azul on Saturday.

Gandolfi's dramatic goal helped put the Xolos in a favorable position in the standings.

It also sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave life to a mostly lethargic match.

The game appeared to be headed to a scoreless tie until Xolos midfielder Leandro Augusto sent in a floating pass into the mouth of the goal via a free kick. There, he found Gandolfi open after he beat his defender.

Gandolfi out jumped the defense and got enough of the Augusto's pass to score via a header.

Monterrey goalkeeper Jonathan Orozco got a piece of Gandolfi's shot but could only slap it into the roof of his goal.

"It is painful to give up a goal like that," said Monterrey coach Victor Vucetich, whose team dropped to 1-1-0 in the tournament.

And it was joyful for Tijuana to send in such score.

Gandolfi was mobbed by teammates after his goal.

It was one of a handful of scoring chances created by the Xolos late in the second half.

The Xolos continued to play for the win, pushing up field after Mohamed subbed in striker Raul Enriquez and midfielder Joe Corona 15 minutes into the second half.

Tijuana had chances at breaking the tie in the 74th, 80th and 81st minute.

Newly acquired Edgar Castillo sent a left-footed blast via a one-timer that zoomed just wide of Orozco's left post. Castillo's created another opportunity via a free kick but his shot hit a wall of defenders. Striker Jose Sand also sent a shot of his own but it sailed straight into Orozco's hands.

But those didn't matter in the end. Gandolfi had given his team the win and perhaps a new look at this tournament.

The public service announcer might have said it best after the game.

"We're not playing to stay alive, we're playing for the championship," he said.

"We played like we should, aggressive," Mohamed said. "It tastes great (to win) with the last play. We have a lot to work on but what matters is that we win. This starts here but doesn't end until the end of the tournament. We celebrate tonight and tomorrow but it's back to work next week. We've showed that we can put together good work."

Things could get difficult for the Xolos as they travel to Guadalajara to face Chivas, Mexico's most popular team and a perennial powerhouse.

Goal by Javier Gandolfi, video courtesy of Tj Sports

ivan.orozco@sandiegored.com

Related:

Comments

  • Facebook

  • SanDiegoRed

 
 
  • New

  • Best

    Recent News more

    Subir
    Advertising