LIGA BANCOMER MX-2014 CLAUSURA COMES TO AN END FOR CLUB TIJUANA
CD Toluca 3-1 Club Tijuana; Quarterfinals second leg
TOLUCA, Mexico –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente finished its LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Clausura season with a 3-1 aggregate score loss to host Club Deportivo Toluca in the second leg of the quarterfinals match up Sunday May 4 at Estadio Nemesio Diez.
The Diablos Rojos advance to the semifinals after sending in efficient shots against the Xoloitzcuintles. Toluca took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute when Antonio Rios buried a shot in the upper right corner of the net with a shot from outside the penalty area.
The Xoloitzcuintles responded with a goal in the 49th minute. He sent in a header off a Fernando Arce centered pass into the area. Benedetto nearly scored on a handful of chances including one in the 59th minute when he sent a Javier Guemez rolling pass into the heart of the area over the crossbar.
Toluca again took the lead in the 60th minute when Miguel Ponce sent a shot past Club Tijuana goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo. The home team closed out the scoring in the 89th minute when Edgar Beniez buried one in the Xoloitzcuintles net.
The teams came into the match after playing to a scoreless draw in the first leg at Estadio Caliente earlier in the week. That was a fundamental match for Toluca who avoided what could have been a barrage of Club Tijuana goals.
In the second leg, coach Cesar Farias started Saucedo at goal while team captain Javeir Gandolfi, and Hernan Pellerano, who was ejected in the 81st minute for his second yellow card, were the central defenders. Edgar Castillo (left) and Juan Carlos Nuñez were also defenders. Castillo had an attacking presence and nearly scored in the 54th minute with a shot at goal.
Fernando Arce, Cristian Pellerano and Guemez were the staring midfielders and left a solid workload, connecting well with the ball for lengthy periods of time. Richard Ruiz, Fidel Martinez and Benedetto were the starting forwards. Jaimen Ayovi, Joe Corona and Juan Hernandez came on as second half substitutes as Club Tijuana looked to attack more. But a solid defensive stand by CD Toluca helped send it to the next round.
The Xoloitzcuintles are now thinking about the 2014-2015 season in which Club Tijuana will return to LIGA Bancomer MX-2014 Clausura action in July.
