XOLOITZCUINTLES EARN A POINT AGAINST TIGRES

TIJUANA –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente earned its first point of the LIGA Bancomer MX-2104 Apertura Friday night with a 1-1 draw against Tigres UANL in a Week 3 match at Estadio Caliente.

Dario Benedetto scored the goal for Club Tijuana. The Argentine striker buried a right-footes shot into the roof of the Tigres goal from about 25-yards out. His blast was set up by a one-time pass by midfielder Cristian Pellerano who touched the ball from about midfield to a speeding Benedetto up field. Benedetto beat his mark and quickly opted to fire at goal.

Despite Benedetto’s goal, the Xoloitzcuintles could not hold on to the lead. Anselmo Vandrechovski tied the match in the 25^th minute when he sent a right-footed shot past Club Tijuana goalkeeper Cirilo Saucedo.

Both teams continued to send shots at goal. Club Tijuana nearly scored when Colombian striker Dayro Moreno ricocheted a ball off the crossbar. He bent a shot over Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman, sending it just off the woodwork.

Club Tijuana would threaten again late in the match when Paul Arriola crossed a volley into the area from left to right near the far post looking for Joe Corona. Arriola’s pass reached Corona but the midfielder couldn’t get a clean header on the ball.

The Xoloitzcuintles are now 0-2-1 with one point in the season. Coach Cesar Farias’ team is also 1-0-0 with three points in the COPA MX tournament featuring teams from the LIGA MX and Liga de Ascenso.

Farias sent Saucedo the goalkeeper, Israel Jimenez, Elio Castro, Hernan Pellerano, Greg Garza, Juan Carlos Nuñez, Cristian Pellerano, Javeir Guemez, Juan Arango, Moreno and Benedetto as his starting 11. Corona, Arriola and Henry Martin were second half substitutes.

Club Tijuana will return to COPA MX play when it visits Zacatepec 1948 Tueday Aug. 5 in the second leg of the first phase series. Club Tijuana will then resume LIGA MX competition when it visits Monarcas Morelia in a Week 4 match Saturday Aug. 8.