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Final-Bound Cruz Azul Awaits Rival
The Cementeros are expecting a rival after they advanced to their second straight final with a 4-2 aggregate score victory against Atlante in the semifinals of the Torneo Apertura 2008.
Dec 6, 2008 11:54:31 PM
Second Leg
Saturday, 6 of December, 2008
Atlante 1 - 1 *Cruz Azul
(Aggregate Score: 2 - 4)
*Advances to Final
Cruz Azul wasted no time to guarantee their ticket to the Final and scored an early goal which in the end proved too much for Atlante to surmount, in a 1-1 draw in the second leg match of the semifinals of the Torneo Apertura 2008.
The series ended with a 4-2 aggregate score in favor of La Máquina, who advanced to their second consecutive championship series.
The match started off with an intense start that was reminiscent of the first leg, as Atlante forward, Luis Gabriel Rey, dribbled through the Cementero defense and shot one just inches off the left post just seconds into the match.
La Máquina headed into the definitive encounter with an important advantage from the previous match. However, they proved that they did not want to rely on that advantage but rather seal the deal once and for all.
In the fourth minute, Cruz Azul youngster César Villaluz took a brilliant shot from inside the box that defeated an outstretched goalkeeper Federico Vilar, for the early 1-0 lead which further improved the Cementeros chances of advancing.
The first goal was a huge blow for the aspirations of Atlante who now had a larger mountain to climb, since they now needed three goals to tie the series and earn their ticket.
Fortunately for them, they reacted quickly and in the seventh minute Venezuelan striker Giancarlo Maldonado kept their Finals hope alive when he sent a powerful shot past Cruz Azul goalkeeper Yosgart Gutiérrez for the 1-1 parity.
The remainder of the match was not the shadow of the previous encounter, as the desperate Potros tried to force a reaction based on pure effort rather than good football.
While Cruz Azul played the match to their tempo and packed the bottom half with players to avoid any possible risks that could dash their championship hopes.
This semifinal series proved that out of both these squads, Cruz Azul is the most complete, since they have a full bench of quality players that can easily supplant an already strong starting eleven.
On the other hand, Atlante's substitutions failed to strengthen the formation and demonstrated that the squad lacks depth.
In the end, Cruz Azul and coach Benjamín Galindo demonstrated the vitality of earning an important first leg result that would allow them play without pressure in the second leg and propose the match to their advantage.
Atlante preserved an almost perfect home record this season, but it was not enough to see them through to another Finals appearance a year after their last title.
The Cementeros declared themselves as serious contenders for the crown, as they now wait for an opponent from the other semifinal series disputed tomorrow between the Diablos Rojos of Toluca and Santos Laguna.
In an interesting side note, manager Benjamín Galindo played and scored in the last Cruz Azul championship in the Torneo Invierno 1997.
-- César García, Goal.com
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