Monterrey's Morales: Draw In Colombia As Good As Victory

Monterrey survived a visit to Once Caldas despite finishing the match with nine men as the Mexican club left Colombia with a 1-1 draw.

Mar 11, 2010 9:30:00 AM

More On :  Monterrey, Once Caldas
Hector Morales - Rayados Monterrey - Lucas Lobos - Tigres (Mexsport)
Monterrey finished their Copa Libertadores game against Once Caldas with just nine men and one goal.

However, that was enough to give the Mexican title holders a draw and sent the club back home with a valuable point.

"It was a complicated match but I ended up getting a goal," Monterrey's Hector Morales told reporters after the match. "It was a good point."

Morales put Monterrey ahead after 32 minutes when he got the ball inside the box after a string of passes opened space for him. Walter Ayovi slipped a ball to Neri Cardozo, who knocked the ball over to Morales. From about 10 yards out, Morales poked the ball into the back of the net.

But things fell apart early in the second half. Jesus Zavala tripped Once Caldas' Dayro Moreno and was given his second yellow card of the match. On the ensuing free kick, John Jairo Valencia sent the ball off the wall and saw it deflect into the back of the net.

Late in the match, Gerardo Galindo was sent off as well but Once Caldas couldn't take advantage of the late bit of fortune.

Morales said the loss of players impeded Monterrey's ability to go forward.

"With the ejections we had to change our tactics," Morales said. "But the point is very good for the team. It is a good point but we need to get this out of our system for next week."

Even though things did not go their way, Morales said they were taking the result as more than just a draw.

"This tastes like a victory, that's how we see it," he said. "This is a difficult place to play and we knew it would be tough."

Goal.com

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