Antonio "Turco" Mohamed, the coach who had arrived on Sept. 21 to lead the Xolos, delivered.
He took a team that seemed destined to be relegated back to the minor leagues and, six months later, clinched its position in the First Division.
On Saturday night, with goals from José Sand and Raúl Enríquez, the Xolos defeated Atlas 2-0. The outcome sealed the Tijuana's stay in Mexico's premier league, independent of what the other teams do.
Leaving behind the relegation talk, Tijuana can focus on reaching its first post-season berth, which is within their reach.
With Saturday's victory, the Xolos are in sixth place in the general standings, with five wins, five ties and just two losses.
Once again playing to a sold-out Estadio Caliente, Tijuana was on the attack from the start. At minute 20, Fernando Arce returned a corner quick, passed to Mauro Gerk who sent it to José Sand, who masterfully headed it into the net.
Delirious fans danced in their seats, beer flying everywhere.
With the goal, Sand, has scored seven this season with a few games still to go.
At minute 41, referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez called the maximum penalty in favor of the locals, after a hand ball from Alonso Zamora. Sand returned the ball but Atlas's goalie stopped the shot.
In the second half, Atlas player Leandro Cufré was ejected at minute 56 after receiving the second yellow card.
Playing with a numerical superiority, Tijuana kept pressing.
Xolos defender Joshua Abrego also received two yellow cards and was ejected, leaving Tijuana also with ten men on the field.
Tijuana scored again at minute 70, when Raúl Enríquez took a pass from Sand and landed his first goal of the Clausura 2012 season.
The win mathematically eliminates the possibility of the Xolos being relegated to the minor leagues assuring its home in the First Division.
The Xolos have accumulated 20 points, which puts them in playoff contention.
Next week Tijuana's club is on the road to face a tough opponent, Pachuca, which is in the seventh spot in the general standings.
alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com
