CLUB TIJUANA WINS IN 2016 APERTURA OPENER
Dayro Moreno scores twice in 2-0 win vs. Monarcas Morelia in Week 1
TIJUANA –(July 15, 2015) –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles opened the 2016 Apertura season with a 2-0 win against visiting Monarcas Morelia Friday night at Estadio Caliente.
Dayro Moreno scored a pair of goals in the LIGA MX opener in front of a sold out stadium and millions watching on national broadcast in Mexico and the United States. The win gives the Xoloitzcuintles three points to start off the tournament and gives coach Miguel Herrera’s team what could be confidence boost heading into the rest of the season.
“We are comfortable with the win,” Herrera said in Spanish during a post match news conference. “The team played very well. I think we played a great game. We gave the team some chances in the end as the team became a bit tired.”
Moreno scored for the Xoloitzcuintles on a penalty kick in the 45th minute. The Colombian striker beat Morelia goalkeeper Carlos Rodriguez from the penalty spot to send in Club Tijuana’s first goal of the season.
Morelia was whistled for a penalty a minute earlier when Facundo Erpen blocked a Moreno shot inside the penalty area. Referee Angel Bello called a handball on the play.
It was Moreno’s 36th goal with the Xoloitzcuintles and it was the play that ended a first half filled with attacking opportunities by Coach Miguel Herrera’s team. Gabriel Hauche helped create the play, taking a lose ball from the corner of the penalty box and finding Moreno a few yards behind him and to his left.
Moreno sent in his second in the 56th minute when he took a low rolling pass from newcomer Milton Caraglio from outside the penalty box. Moreno took the ball between two defenders and fired without hesitation.
The Xoloitzcuintles came into the opener looking to be an aggressive attacking team. It didn’t take long for Herrera’s team to fire against Morelia.
Moreno started things when sent a shot at goal that bounced off the post in the early moments of the match. It was the start of the Xoloitzcuintles looking to keep the ball and force Morelia into its own territory.
Newcomer Aviles Hurtado, who was subbed by Hauche in the 28th minute, also had a chance. He tried his luck with a half scissor kick in the 25th minute. But he didn’t strike it well and his shot rolled just wide of the left post. Milton Caraglio had a couple of opportunities in the 33rd and 37th minute. He sent low crossing shot just inches from the right post on his second attempt at goal. Ignacio Malcorra also got in the attacking action. He fired a left-footed shot from outside but Morelia’s goalkeeper Rodriguez dove to make a save.
With eight new players trying to adjust to Herrera’s system, playing on an artificial.
“We knew that having a relative new team on a field they had to get used to was going to be difficult but I am satisfied with the result,” Herrera said. “But the goal was the three points and we were able to reach our goal.”
Club Tijuana will now travel to Central Mexico to face Puebla FC Sunday July 24. But before that, the Xoloitzcuintles will also open COPA MX play Tuesday July 19 against CD Toluca (7 p.m. Pacific) at Estadio Caliente.
FINAL SCORE:
XOLOS 2, MORELIA 0
SCORING:
1-0 –45th -Dayro Moreno (Tijuana)
2-0 -56th –Dayro Moreno (Tijuana)
LINEUPS:
Club Tijuana: 33. Federico Vilar, 4. Gregory Garza (68’, 15. Damian Perez), 5. Guido Rodriguez (77’, 3. Yasser Corona), 6. Juan Carlos Valenzuela, 9. Milton Caraglio, 10. Ignacio Malcorra, 17. Dayro Moreno, 18. Aviles Hurtado (28’, 7. Gabriel Hauche), 19. Emanuel Aguilera, 22. Juan Carlos Nuñez, 26. Juan Carlos Medina.
Coach: Miguel Herrera.
Monarcas Morelia: 1. Carlos Rodriguez, 2. Enrique Perez, 4. Hugo Rodriguez, 5. Facundo Erpen, 6. David Cabrera, 8. Juan Pablo Rodriguez, 14. Christian Penilla, 18. Luis Gabriel Rey (45’, 9. Raul Ruidiaz), 19. Diego Valdes (46’, 20. Rodrigo Millar), 23. Jefferson Cuero (63’, 32. Alejandro Gagliardi), 28. Carlos Morales.