Tijuana. Futbol fever swept this region as soccer fans scrambled to buy tickets for the two-game final between the TijuanaXolos and Freseros from Irapuato.
Fans waited in long lines Monday when tickets went on sale for the first game, to be held Wednesday afternoon at Caliente Stadium.
The teams belong to Mexico's second tier of professional soccer, called the Liga de Ascenso. A series win means the local team earns a promotion to the country's main league, the Primera División, and a chance to compete against Mexico's storied teams.
If Tijuana loses the series all is not lost. Both teams will play another series to determine which will advance to the first division and occupy the spot vacated by Necaxa, whose losing record in the just-ended season doomed it for a demotion.
"The tickets for the final practically flew out the door," the Xolos management said in a press release.
The Xolos will play against the Freseros at 1 p.m. Wednesday. Then the series moves to Irapuato, where the second game will be played Saturday at 5 p.m. (Tijuana time).
The winner becomes the champion of the Liga de Ascenso and moves up to play with Mexico's soccer heavyweights.
"The long wait was worth it," said Rogelio Millán, a Xolos fan who waited two hours to buy tickets for Wednesday's game. "We want to be at the final to help our team reach the First Division."
