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Morelia Rout Depleted Santos Side To Reach Semis
Morelia beat Santos 3-0 and won their aggregate-goals quarterfinal series by 4-2. Miguel Sabah played a role in the first two goals on Sunday.
Nov 29, 2009 8:22:15 PM
Morelia won the aggregate-goals series by 4-2 and will now meet Cruz Azul in the next round.
First Half
It did not take long for Morelia to put their stamp on the match. Just seven minutes in, Miguel Sabah got on the end of a cross inside the penalty area. With his back to the goal, Sabah held the ball and was surrounded by Santos' defense. Sabah sent the ball out of the area towards Wilson Tiago. The Brazilian lined up a shot and unleashed a vicious rocket into the back of the net. Santos 'keeper Oswaldo Sanchez had little chance to stop the ball as it sailed across the goal line.
Jubilant supporters, clad in Morelia's trademark yellow colors, reveled as Tiago pumped his arms in the air and was mobbed by teammates. The goal leveled terms on the aggregate score, and Sabah had another hand in Morelia's next goal.
This time, Sabah did the damage himself. Luis Alonso Sandoval ran down the left flank and crossed the ball to Luis Gabriel Rey, who fumbled around for the ball as he was draped by a pair of defenders. Rey finally pushed the ball towards Sabah, who immediately fired a first-touch shot on goal. The ball was too low and went by too quickly for Sanchez to stop. As the ball settled into the net, Sabah raced around and was again mobbed by his teammates as Morelia apparently tasted the semifinals.
Second Half
Santos had little response. Without Vicente Matias Vuoso and Daniel Ludueña, the club was left with little offense. Carlos Ochoa and Carlos Darwin Quintero did not receive solid and consistent service from the midfield as Santos' attack was overwhelmed.
Mauricio Romero put Santos out of their misery in the 84th minute when he headed home a pass from Aldo Leal Ramirez.
Santos managed little response after the goal as Morelia were much too strong for the weakened visitors.
Goal.com
For more coverage of the Mexican league playoffs, visit Goal.com's Mexico page.
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