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Morelia Are One Step Closer Towards Liguilla
Morelia demolished Atlas 4-2 and took a giant step towards reaching the postseason; Atlas meanwhile lost a chance to reach the Liguilla.
May 3, 2009 11:32:03 AM
Morelia's Miguel Sabah justified his call to the national team by converting a hat trick.
The game was closed off to the crowd due to the ongoing health hazard concerns. That did not stop the fans from supporting their team as fans gathered on a nearby hill where the game was visible to support their team.
Atlas, hoping to classify as soon as possible started attacking quick. Their first dangerous play came in the first minute when Edgar Pacheco got into the box but was unable to finish. In the 8th minute Atlas again made Morelia shake when Marioni’s header went over the bar of Moises Muñoz. Atlas were the ones setting the tone and in the 14th minute it paid off. Gonzalo Vargas, with defender Fernando Salazar on him managed to get off the shot that went in the back of the net.
Atlas was on top as Morelia’s midfield seemed to struggle. But in the 32nd minute Miguel Sabah drilled the ball in the net to have his first of the night.
The second half started the same as the first, Atlas with their nose in the attack. In the 46th minute Dario Botinelli took advantage of a bad clearing by the Morelia defense and put his team up 2-1. That was the last time Atlas would see the lead.
Los Zorros decided to focus only on defense, and Morelia took advantage of that. Sabah tied the game in the 72nd minute after his header hit the post and went in. With four minutes left in the game Ever Guzman shot from outside the box to take the lead. Just one minute later Sabah completed his hat trick. Sabah assisted in his own goal and gave his team the victory 4-2.
Morelia's Tomas Boy applauded his team’s victory from the stands as he was serving a two game suspension.
“The teams push and game won this match,” Boy said. “The tie came from a rally where 12 or 13 passes were strung together. It is impressive, the way the team is working. The patience and the attitude is good because they make us react, those qualities are something that all the players posses.”
The Morelia manager also praised the work from Guzman and Sabah, who both had an outstanding game. The manager also noted that the game served as a motivator to the team, to show them the great things that can be accomplished.
“Ever has been training well, and I’m happy with his work. Aside from being a good win, the game shows the players that they can have theses type’s of events. This motivates us, and the players are really happy. Ever did not have a great game but when the chances showed he finished magnificently. He practically made the game winning goal, he made it and good for him,” said Boy.
Tomas boy ended by saying that the win against Tigres, next week is crucial. Morelia have to win if they want to have any hopes to qualify.
“We have to think of winning that game and it doesn’t matter how we do it. If we win we will have a chance and it’s up to the rest to do their part.”
Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com
For more coverage of the Clausura 2009 season, visit Goal.com's Mexican Football section.
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