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InterLiga: Atlas and Chivas Convince
Two intense, high-scoring encounters closed Group B activity as both remaining Guadalajara sides, Atlas and Chivas, advanced to the Finals of the Torneo InterLiga 2009.
Jan 10, 2009 2:43:02 AM
Matchday 6: Friday, January 9
Home Depot Center, Carson, California
Atlas 4 - 1 América
Tigres 2 - 4 Chivas
Atlas 4 - 1 América
The Rojinegros of Atlas convincingly defeated the super-reinforced América to advance in the second spot of Group B to the Finals phase of the InterLiga tournament.
The victory was nothing short of dramatic, since Atlas needed to win by a margin of three goals to qualify and they accomplished that feat with a stoppage time goal by Jorge Achucarro.
After an early goal by America’s Colombian midfielder Andrés Chitiva in the 4th minute, the Zorros did not give up in their offensive efforts and continued to propose the attack relentlessly.
With clear control and possession of the ball, Atlas continued to generate attacking options from all sectors and would soon find compensation for their efforts.
The first goal for Atlas came in the 18th minute by Uruguayan striker Gonzalo Vargas, followed by two wondergoals by Bruno Marioni in the 35th and youngster Edgar Pacheco in the 65th minute to give the Rojinegros a surprising 3-1 lead.
Both sides experienced tense moments in the final moments of the match, since a goal for either team would once and for all decide who advanced.
In the second minute of stoppage-time, Atlas took off on a lethal counterattack which Jorge Achucarro finished with a powerful shot that left Águilas goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa without any reaction for the definitive 4-1 score.
With the victory, Atlas advances in the second spot of Group B and will face Group A leader Pachuca in the first Final match on Sunday.
A victory in the final for Atlas will see them qualify to the Libertadores as team “México 3.” The seeding for Pachuca will depend on the result of the final match between Chivas and Morelia.
In turn, even with eight new signings América was unable to guarantee their participation in the next edition of the Copa Libertadores. The Águilas must now include the InterLiga 2009 in their long list of recent failures.
Goals
ATL: Gonzalo Vargas (18’), Bruno Marioni (36’), Edgar Pacheco (66’), Jorge Achucarro (92’)
AME: Andrés Chitiva (4’)
Tigres 2 - 4 Chivas
In the second match of the night to close Group B activity, Chivas continued to display their great preseason form when they defeated a lackluster Tigres side to advance to the Finals phase as Group B leaders.
A convincing football display by Efrain Flores’ team, who thrilled the pro-Chivas crowd, places the Rebaño one step away from the 2009 edition of the Libertadores.
Speedy midfielder Alberto Medina drove the Tigres defense crazy, resulting in a ill-tempered expulsion for defender José Antonio Castro. Striker Carlos Ochoa won the crowd with a powerful brace and consecrated himself as the new Chivas goalscoarer with four goals in the tournament.
Ochoa opened the scoring in the third minute of the match with a splendid diving header, while Sergio Avila took advantage of a defensive error to score the second in the 22nd minute, and Alberto Medina received a reward for his efforts when he headed in the 3-0 at the end of the first half.
The former Los Angeles resident, Ochoa, would earn the ovation of the faithful when he brilliantly headed in his second goal of the night in the 62nd minute to put Chivas up 4-1.
Tigres defense showed little response to the dynamics of the tapatíos and in attack could not find an understanding to finish their plays.
Argentine playmaker Lucas Lobos was the lone bright spot for the felines, displaying great dribble, form and contributing to the score in the 33rd minute to momentarily put Tigres back in the contest. New arrival Ariel Bogado scored the second goal in the 89th minute.
With the final result of group play, Chivas advances in the first spot of Group B and will now face Morelia in the final match of the InterLiga 2009.
Chivas was the best team of the first phase with seven points and a four goal difference in group play, and will qualify to the Copa Libertadores as team “México 2” if they defeat Morelia on Sunday. Morelia’s seeding will depend on the outcome of the previous encounter.
For their part, Tigres at times appeared more interested in making a good preseason than earning a ticket to the South American club competition. They ended the InterLiga 2009 as the worst team of the tournament with only one point.
Goals
TIG: Lucas Lobos (33’), Ariel Bogado (89’)
CHI: Carlos Ochoa (3’, 62’ ), Sergio Ávila (22’), Alberto Medina (45’)
--César García, Goal.com
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