Morelia, Monterrey Split Points, Await Playoff Opponents

Morelia and Monterrey tied 1-1 in the regular-season finale and now will wait the outcome of Sunday's Santos-America match to figure out who each will meet in the Liguilla.

Aldo De Nigris- Monterrey (Mexsport)
Group 2 rivals Morelia and Monterrey played to a 1-1 draw but the point was not good enough for neither team to claim a favorable spot in the overall league standings.

Morelia held the top spot in the league entering the match but were surpassed by both Toluca and Cruz Azul. Morelia clinched the third position in the table and will have home field advantage in the quarterfinals but are not guaranteed any such advantage afterward.

Monterrey, meanwhile, hold a tenuous lead over America entering Sunday. America play at Santos and with a win las Aguilas would claim the fourth spot in the table and would have home-field advantage against Monterrey as the two would meed in the quarterfinals.

Aldo De Nigris put the hosts ahead in the 10th minute. Walter Ayovi slipped a through ball to the center of the box and De Nigris ran onto it. De Nigris sped past Morelia's defense and easily beat Moises Muñoz.

Monterrey were pushing forward, trying to get a second goal but got caught in the process and surrendered the equalizer to Morelia. In the 35th minute, Morelia went into Monterrey territory on a counterattack. Miguel Sabah dribbled the ball down the left side of the field and went near the penalty area. He fed Elias Hernan Hernandez, who was alone in front of the goal. As Monterrey 'keeper Jonathon Orozco dived, Hernandez sent a shot on goal. Orozco got his hands on it but was unable to keep it from finding the back of the net.


Morelia will likely play Santos in the quarterfinals, barring a lopsided result in the Santos-America match.

Goal.com

For more coverage of the Mexican Primera Division, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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