Club Tijuana basically says goodbye to the playoffs with tonight's 2-1 loss to Monarcas Morelia at home. Danny Marquez found the back of the net for Xolos in the first half, but Hector Mancilla turned it all around for Morelia in a matter of minutes.
Both Xolos and Morelia came into the game with positive intentions looking for each other's goals. And it was Morelia who had the first chance of the game in the third minute. Hector Mancialla laid off a cross with his chest to the oncoming Joao Rojas, Rojas was unable to make good contact with the ball and his off balance shot sales over the cross bar.
The Xoloitzcuitles slowly took control of the game with Fernando Arce commanding the midfield. Duvier Riascos and Fidel Martinez looked to explode their talents from the wide positions while Danny Marquez always stood tall in the box looking for a chance to put away.
In the 34th minute Fernando Arce noticed Fidel Martinez across the field and sent in a pin point cross to Martinez who laid the ball off with his left foot for Danny Marquez to push into an empty net. This was Marquez's first ever goal with Club Tijuana.
The Xolos took the one goal lead into the break.
For the second half Morelia even out the control of the game and started to pressure for an equalizer.
Hector Mancilla single handily turned the game around for Morelia. Starting in the 74th minute Mancilla took a wild powerful shot that found the top corner of the goal. Nothing Cirilo Saucedo could do but dive and make the goal that much prettier.
One minute later Mancilla was in the middle of the box ready to ponce on a defensive collapse by the Xolos. A cross came into the box that Joshua Abrego missed judged and could not header away, Edgar Castillo could not react fast enough to the Abrego miss and let the ball bounce off his leg. Mancilla ponced on that bounce and buried the ball into the net for his second goal and the Monarca's lead.
Late in the game Xolos players once again lost their cool. Last week it was Cristian Pellerano for which he was unavailable today. Tonight it was Joe Corona who saw a direct red card after a hard foul. In stoppage time Edgar Castillo was shown a yellow card for arguing with the assistant referee, he then argued that yellow card for which he received his second card in a matter of seconds. Castillo then preceded to insult both the referee and assistant something that might cause him more games in suspension.
Tijuana are now left with two games to play and they must win them both, plus they must hope other results around the league end up in their favor in both the final two weeks of the season. But as always, it is the Copa Libertadores that will take priority over any Liga MX circumstance.
Said.Rodríguez@sandiegored.com
Jonny.Rico@sandiegored.com
