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Cruz Azul Topple Puebla, Power Into Semifinals
Cruz Azul edged Puebla 3-2 and reached the semifinal round of the Apertura 2009 playoffs.
Nov 28, 2009 8:07:42 PM
Cruz Azul won the aggregate-goals series by 7-6 following last week's dramatic 4-4 draw. The game, though, cost Cruz Azul's Jaime Lozano the chance to play in this match as he was suspended for having taken a dive in the first leg.
Still, without Lozano Cruz Azul were forceful, particularly in their ability to score on set pieces as two of their three goals came on free kicks.
First Half
Cesar Villaluz got the hosts out to an early lead. In the 20th minute, Villaluz raced into Puebla's penalty area on a counterattack. Villaluz had Emanuel Villa open in the center of the box and slipped the ball towards him. However, Puebla 'keeper Jorge Villalpando slid and knocked the ball away. The ball fell towards Villaluz who slammed his attempt into an open net.
Cruz Azul held a valuable goal as it forced Puebla to hunt for at least two goals. However, la Franja got back in the game in just 11 minutes. Nicolas Olivera took a pass from Luis Miguel Noriega and got Puebla even in the match. Noriega slipped a ball through the heart of Cruz Azul's defense and Olivera ran past the defenders and reached the ball at the top of the area. Jose de Jesus Corona had charged well off his line and nearly got to the ball first but Olivera took a touch with the outside of his left foot, got around Corona and knocked the ball into an empty net.
However, Puebla's resilience did not last long. Not five minutes later Cruz Azul took the lead once more. Julio Cesar Dominguez leapt and slammed a header off a free kick into the back of the net. With Lozano out, Rogelio Chavez knocked the ball into the middle of the box and Dominguez powered his attempt into the back of the net.
After the goal, Puebla seemed to sag their shoulders while Cruz Azul grew in confidence.
Second Half
Lozano was out of the game but that did not mean la Maquina were not dangerous on set pieces. After Dominguez's goal, Cruz Azul struck once more in the second half on a free kick. This time, Fausto Pinto lined up a 27-yard attempt and put an exclamation mark on the game. Pinto knocked the ball over the wall and froze Villalpando. The ball settled into the back of the net and Cruz Azul were up by two goals.
Late in the match, Puebla pulled one back but it was merely for the highlight reel. Olivera latched onto a high-arching clearance attempt and ripped a 20-yard blast into the back of the net.
However, it was not nearly enough as Cruz Azul booked their passage into the semifinal round.
Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican league playoffs, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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