Clausura Champions Pumas Fall In Apertura Opener

Edgar Pacheco scored a goal in first-half stoppage time and Atlas beat Pumas 1-0 in Estadio Jalisco on Saturday.

Jul 26, 2009 2:06:10 AM

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Edgar Pacheco - Atlas (MexSport)

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Atlas
Pumas

Pumas learned a tough lesson when it comes to being defending champions: things aren't going to be easy.

Atlas beat Pumas 1-0 on Saturday in Estadio Jalisco and handed the Clausura 2009 champions a season-opening loss. Edgar Pacheco scored the lone goal of the match as Atlas jumped out to a quick three points.

First Half

Both sides came out evenly matched as the two sides battled from the start. Francisco Palencia was the first to test Atlas' new goalkeeper Damian Barbosa but Palencia's 14th-minute shot went into the arms of Barbosa. Pumas gained control of the game as Atlas were back on their heels afterward.

Martin Bravo tried his fortunes in the 23rd minute but his soft half-volley attempt went easily into Barbosa's hands.

A string of rough fouls followed which culminated with a yellow card. Palencia drew yellow after he flattened Dario Botinelli near the sideline.

Pumas' Leandro Augusto rattled a shot off the left post in the 38th minute as Pumas seemed destined to score first. However, it was the hosts who eventually opened the scoring.

In first-half stoppage time, former Atlas star Daniel Osorno made his return to the club a successful one. Osorno held the ball on the left side of the penalty area and placed a high-arching cross to the far post. Pacheco ran onto the ball and slammed a header past Pumas' Sergio Bernal, who had little opportunity to stop the shot.

Second Half

At the start of the second half, Pumas struggled to regain their rhythm and did not attack as they had in the first half. In the 65th minute, manager Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti took out an ineffective Bravo and replaced him with Ismael Iñiguez to try and inject some life into Pumas' attack.

Iñiguez had an attempt in the 73rd minute after a Pumas corner kick but was not accurate with his attempt. One minute later, Augusto sent a free kick just wide of the goal.

Pumas had a pair of late attempts but neither Efrain Velarde or David Cabrera could get stoppage-half shots on goal.

Atlas held on for the victory in a match that gave the hosts hope that things will continue to improve under manager Ricardo Lavolpe.

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