Mexico

Monterrey Take First Leg Over America

An inspired Monterrey side took the first leg of the quarter finals between America.

Nov 21, 2009 10:31:31 PM

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Monterrey (Mexsport)

Teams

Monterrey took the advantage against America in the quarterfinals. Los Rayados took the first leg with a 1-0 win. After facing an emotional week Monterrey showed great character in defying the odds and beating America. The mourning Aldo de Nigris scored the only goal of the match to give his team the advantage going into the Azteca.

Aldo dedicated his goal to his recently deceased brother Antonio de Nigris.

First Half

America controlled the encounter in the opening minutes. America had three corner kicks in the first ten minutes but could do nothing with them.

The match evened out as it progressed but both teams looked conservative in the attack as they waited for the right time to pounce.

Daniel “Rolfi” Montenegro tried it from long distance in the 15th minute. The shot deflected off defender which could have spelled trouble for Jonathan Orozco. Instead the ball was deflected to him as he made the easy save.

Monterrey did not have a clear one until the 28th minute. Osvaldo Martinez controlled the ball inside the box then turned and shot but his attempt went wide.

America responded one minute later. Oscar Rojas swung the ball in to find a wide open Salvador Cabañas in the second post. Cabañas hit it, but it went wide for the striker.

The teams began to look more defensive as the game wore on.

Salvador Cabañas had a clear one in the 44th minute. Cabañas entered the box through the right side but his shot went over the bar in the end.

The half ended in a scoreless draw.

Second Half

Both teams came out flying to start the second half.

Rolfi tried it from long distance in the 46th. Montenegro sent in a hard shot but Orozco was able to swap it away.

Monterrey responded with a goal just two minutes later. Aldo De Nigris received the ball inside the box, Ochoa came out and de Nigris sent the ball to the back of the net. Monterrey took an emotional one goal lead.

Cabañas tried to get his team leveled in the 54th minute. The Paraguayan striker drove the ball down the right, and then cut into the center where he blasted a low driven shot. The attempt went wide and Monterrey kept the lead.

Cabañas tried once more in the 64th. Salvador lined up to take a free kick. His shot nearly missed the upper right hand angle as it went out for a goal kick.

America tried desperately to get back in it but Cabañas was alone upfront with his teammates having to deal with the Monterrey attack.

The game ended in an emotional 1-0 win for the Rayados.

Sylvestre Adame, Goal.com

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

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