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Morelia Hand America First Loss Of Apertura
America once again started off bad at home losing 2-1 to Morelia in the Azteca. They will be hoping not to have the same home record as last season.
Aug 2, 2009 8:29:42 PM
This was the second game that Guillermo Ochoa did not feature for Las Aguilas. The star keeper was not to be risked and was left off the roster for today’s game. Daniel “Rolfi” Montenegro made his first appearance for America in the second half.
Salvador Cabañas was finally able to score since his number was changed to 10. It was five preseason games and one regular season game since Cabañas had not scored. Cabañas goal came off a penalty and is yet to convert one of his signature goals.
First Half
The first half was pretty much kept in the middle of the field. Both teams had very little chances up top but Morelia knew how to take them when they counted.
The first option of the half came for America. Carlos “El Torito” Silva, who was declared match fit at the last minute, tried his luck from outside the box but his shot went wide.
In the 7th minute Jorge Kalu Gastelum also tried his luck from outside the box. The shot went wide of the mark. Both teams were settling for long distance shots as their defenses held good lines but it was Americas who would make the first mistake.
America was cursed once again with a penalty. Once more it was called because of a tug inside the box. The man who would take the shot for Morelia was Miguel Sabah, who missed a penalty for Mexico in the Gold Cup. Unlike the penalty he took in the Gold Cup, Sabah shot with power giving Armando Navarrete no chance at stopping it. Morelia went up in the 17th minute 1-0.
Las Aguilas had a couple of good chances after the goal. In the 36th minute Enrique Esqueda got his head behind the ball but Morelia keeper Moises Muñoz had no problem controlling the shot. In the 39th minute Pavel Pardo had his shot from a free kick. The specialist put the shot just over the bar and another opportunity was wasted.
Morelia though did not waste anything and in the 40th minute struck again. Elias Hernandez sent in a cross from a free kick. Wilson Tiago elevated above everyone unmarked and had no problem putting the ball behind the net. The first half ended with Morelia having a 2-0 lead.
Second Half
Las Aguilas came out flying in the second half. Even before the 45th minute was hit Salvador Cabañas was already trying his luck at goal. His shot went low and Muñoz had no problem handling the ball.
America had a different look when Daniel “El Rolfi” Montenegro entered the field. Montenegro had his first shot towards goal as an Aguila in the 60th minute. Rolfi's shot went wide and caused no problems to Muñoz. In the 62nd minute Rolfi again had a chance but again his shot went wide once more.
Miguel Sabah could have had his second of the day but his shot was saved by Navarrete. Sabah cut into the middle of the field from the right, Navarrete was down on his knees before the shot even went off but Sabah shot straight at him.
In the 73rd minute Muñoz was finally tested. Pavel Pardo from outside the box and from a volley shot towards goal. Muñoz was forced to dive to his right making a great save and keeping the clean sheet alive. Salvador Cabañas had a clear chance to give America their opening goal in the 82nd minute but Muñoz was converting himself into the hero of the day once again stopping the shot.
The goalkeeper’s heroics ended with 5 minutes left in the game. A Penalty was called in favor of America after a hand from Mauricio Romero inside the box was called . Cabañas took it and scored putting an end to the number 10 curse and giving his side one goal. America scored but Morelia was still up 2-1.
America's last minutes run was not enough as they fell to Morelia 2-1.
Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico section.
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