Scoreless Draw More Than Enough To See Azul Through

Cruz Azul tied Club Sport Herediano 0-0 on Wednesday but advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League on a 6-2 aggregate.

Aug 6, 2009 2:40:25 AM

More On :  Cruz Azul
Gerardo Lugo- Cruz Azul (Mexsport)
Cruz Azul could not figure out Club Sport Herediano's defense on Wednesday but it made little difference as la Maquina and Herediano tied 0-0.

Despite not winning, Cruz Azul had a large enough lead in the aggregate score to not worry about the lack of goals. Cruz Azul advanced past their overmatched Costa Rican counterparts on the strength of a 6-2 win in Costa Rica a week ago.
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First Half

Cruz Azul, which used mostly backups against Herediano, nearly got on the scoreboard 10 minutes in but Gerardo Lugo's cross to Alejandro Vela led to a shot wide of goal by Vela.

Herediano tried to beat Yosgart Gutierrez on a pair of occasions in the 21st and 22nd minutes but Gutierrez did well to hold onto shots sent in by Herediano attackers.

Lugo took a free kick two minutes later but Herediano's Adrian de Lemos made a save. Javier Orozco scrambled but could not get to the rebound.

Poor marksmanship highlighted the remaining portion of the half as neither Cruz Azul nor Herediano could get much on their respective attempts on frame.

Second Half

Orozco, who had a hat trick a week ago, nearly scored his fourth goal against Herediano but his 50th-minute shot sailed high over the crossbar.

The game got a bit physical after a series of fouls from players on either side. Herediano's Luis Daniel Villejos was eventually booked after kicking Vela while Vela was on the ground.


Herediano had a strong opportunity to score minutes later when Andy Herron nearly found Jose Guity but the Honduran could not get to the end of Herron's pass.

For the rest of the match, Herediano's offense sputtered badly while Cruz Azul's backups seemed content with finishing off the game at 0-0.

Cruz Azul will now play in Group C which could be the toughest group. Fellow semifinalists Puerto Rico Islanders are also in Group C, along with Costa Rican side Saprissa and MLS champions Columbus Crew.

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