SIX YEARS OF SUCCESS, TWO YEARS IN THE FIRST DIVISION

Club Tijuana celebrates second anniversary in Mexico’s top-flight league

TIJUANA –May 21, 2011 is a very important date for Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente. It is the date that marks the team headed by Jorgealberto Hank and gog Murguia was promoted to the First Division in Mexican soccer.


 


It has been two years since team captain Javier Gandolfi raised the Cup after beating Irapuato in an exciting promotional playoff 2-1 in a second leg match during the 2010-2011 Ascenso season.


 


After four years of battling in the Liga de Ascenso, the Xoloitzcuintles earned a slot in Mexico’s top-flight league after beating the Freseros. It was  Joe Benny Corona who opened the score sending in a header off a centered pass by Mauro Gerk.  


 


Three minutes later, in the 31st minute, Corona fed Gerk with an assist to make it 2-0. Richard Ruiz initiated the play after recuperating a ball at midfield and fed Corona the ball who sent it to Gerk before the striker sent the ball past goalkeeper Adrian Martinez.


 


The match became even more exciting with Irapuato’s goal before the end of the first half. The team coached by Joaquin del Olmo came out with confidence in the second half and was able to control possession and defend its way to Club Tijuana’s promotion to the First Division.


 


Under del Olmo, the city of Tijuana celebrated the promotion that unforgettable afternoon, Saturday May 21, 2011.


 


After two years since that great moment, the Xoloitzcuintles keeps on writing its history thanks to the great work of every person within the institution. Proof of that came during the 2012 Apertura of the LIGA MX in which Club Tijuana beat CD Toluca, led by coach Antonio Mohamed, clinched its first title in the Mexican First Division. It also earned a spot in the Copa Bridgestone Libertadores, advancing all the way to the quarterfinals in which Club Tijuana will face Club Atletico Mineiro of Brazil. Mohamed’s team can continue to make history in Tijuana.