Tijuana Xolos Liga MX 2019 CL Week 8 Recap: Xolos Extend Undefeated Streak With Late Penalty By Bou
Aguascalientes, Mexico
The Tijuana Xolos played their eighth game in the Liga MX 2019 Clausura this Saturday, Feb. 23, as the Aztec Canines visited the Estadio Victoria to play Necaxa. The Xoloitzcuintles were in very good form heading into this encounter, on a four-game undefeated streak in league play and a six-game undefeated streak in all competitions.
The Xolos were coming off a 3-0 win against Veracruz and stayed hot with a 2-1 away win against Necaxa. This was set to be a manageable game for Club Tijuana, but it could always be tough as it was away from home.
The first half started off very slow as neither team seemed very threatening as the half ended scoreless. Ariel Nahuelpan picked up an injury and was subbed out for Eryc Castillo at the half, but the Ecuadorian winger did well in the attack.
In the 61st minute, Brian Fernandez opening the scoring as he gave Los Rayos a slim 1-0 lead. Fernandez ripped the Xolos’ backline to shreds as he ran up the right wing and found space to release a powerful shot with a limited angle.
Oscar Pareja’s attack struggled in the game, then the Colombian manager decided to replace defender Luis Fuentes with striker Daniel Lopez in the 80th minute. Diego Gonzalez also replaced Ignacio Rivero in the midfield as Pareja was really pushing for a goal.
In the 82nd minute, the Hairless Dogs managed to tie up the game as Brayan Beckeles put the ball into his own net. Gustavo Bou released a shot that smashed the post and the Honduran defender was there on the deflection to push the ball into his own net and make it a 1-1 game.
The game seemed destined to end in a draw, but then the Xoloitzcuintles picked up a late penalty in the 95th minute of the clash. Gustavo Bou executed the penalty perfectly and that proved to be the deciding moment of the encounter as the border city team took the 2-1 win.
The Xolos did not play a great game, but the effort was enough to come away with the three points from the Estadio Victoria. The Border City Dogs have now won their last two league games and are currently in sixth place with 13 points in the 2019 Clausura at the time of writing the article. Club Tijuana will now focus on the Copa MX as Oscar Pareja’s team will take on Alebrijes de Oaxaca in the round of 16 this Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Here is the game-winner @gustavobouok PANTERA!!! #GoXolos #ligamxeng pic.twitter.com/Absq0VJuO3
— Xolos (@xolos_en) February 24, 2019
Xolos Lineup: Gibran Lajud, Omar Mendoza, Julian Velazquez, Diego Braghieri, Luis Fuentes (80’ Daniel Lopez), Diego Rodriguez, Ignacio Rivero (80’ Diego Gonzalez), Jesus Angulo, Miller Bolanos, Gustavo Bou, Ariel Nahuelpan (45’ Eryc Castillo)
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.