“LA CLAVE ES EL TRABAJO EN EQUIPO”: PAUL ARRIOLA
El mediocampista resaltó el empuje de cada Xoloitzcuintle para lograr el 1-0 vs Club América
Tijuana, Baja California, 8 de Marzo de 2017._ Una jugada colectiva, la cual pudo concretar Paul Arriola, le dio un triunfo importante a los Xoloitzcuintles (1-0 vs Club América) para avanzar a los Cuartos de Final de la COPA CORONA MX-Clausura 2017.
“Logramos recuperar la pelota, la tomó Guido (Rodríguez), vi la línea defensiva muy arriba, intenté picar por atrás, tenía a Nacho (Malcorra) y Avilés (Hurtado) por un lado, pero decidí concretar ante Marchesin”, así definió su gol el nativo de Chula Vista en el minuto 28 del encuentro, gol que a la postre le dio el triunfo al Club Tijuana sobre las Águilas en los Octavos de Final.
Fue un partido duro, cerrado, típico de Liguilla, máxime si se definía a un solo enfrentamiento. Los Xoloitzcuintles supieron manejar los momentos de presión, para Arriola, la clave es el trabajo en equipo.
“Es la diferencia en los partidos, a veces los equipos están muy igualados en el aspecto de ofensiva y defensiva, pero por nosotros todos corremos, todos luchamos, lo hacemos por la ciudad, por los aficionados que vienen a apoyarnos, esa es la clave y así queremos ganar los partidos”, destacó Paul.
El elemento surgido de la cantera resaltó igualmente el factor defensivo. Un cero colgado en el arco propio con un valor agregado por la participación del juvenil Carlos Vargas (18 años), quien se plantó junto al Capitán Juan Carlos Valenzuela en la zaga central para dominar los ataques del cuadro capitalino.
Los Xoloitzcuintles enfrentarán al Club Monarcas Morelia en la ronda de Cuartos de Final de la COPA MX (fecha y horario por definir); antes, el cuadro Rojinegro viajará a Querétaro para enfrentar a los Gallos Blancos en la Fecha 10 de la LIGA MX-Clausura 2017.
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TEAMWORK IS THE KEY
Paul Arriola credits team effort for his game-winning goal vs. Club America
TIJUANA (March 8, 2017) – Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles midfielder Paul Arriola celebrated another goal Wednesday night. This time it was a 28th minute game-winner in a 1-0 outing against visiting Club America in the round of 16 of the Copa Corona MX at Estadio Caliente.
But the Chula Vista, Calif. native was quick to credit a team effort for the win that sends the Xoloitzcuintles to the quarterfinals next week against Monarcas Morelia.
“It was a tough game. It was a good team but in the end I think we wanted it more,” Arriola said. “I think we had a great game plan. It was an extremely well thought out plan and in the end it worked out for us.”
It worked out when Guido Rodriguez found Arriola open inside the penalty box. The Argentine midfielder feed Arriola with a rolling pass and the United States National team player didn’t waste his chance. He buried his shot past America goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin.
“Anytime you score in a do or die match, you can say it feels good,” Arriola said about his goal. “For me and with the fans, knowing that it was Club America it feels a little bit better. There’s something about it inside you that makes it feel a little bit better.”
Arriola also credit the team’s collective work to the internal competition and work ethic amid his teammates. And being able to contribute on defense has also helped shape Arriola’s game style this season.
“In the first half I felt a little bit more comfortable playing as an outside forward and winger because that’s really what I’ve grown up playing,” Arriola said. “I am not one to shy away from the hard work and go defend down the field. I was able to do that. I didn’t have a lot of action with the ball but sometimes that doesn’t matter once you’ve made an impact. After the goal I touched the ball little times but when I did it was effective. Defensively I was solid in the back.”
In the back it was Juan Carlos Valenzuela, Damian Perez, Michael Orozco and Carlos Vargas helping goalkeeper Gibran Lajud keep a shutout.
Now Arriola must wait and see where his role will lie in the upcoming matches.
“There’s now not much time to talk about it and think about it and we have to turn the page because Saturday we play Queretaro, so, tomorrow show up and that is what we are focused on,” Arriola said. “All you can ask for is for the competition from within the team. That has really helped us and I think that’s really pushed me to raise my level. We will see how Miguel decides to play us out on Saturday and then on Tuesday but I hope to be there in both playing 90 minutes.”
Club Tijuana will travel to face Club Queretaro Saturday in a LIGA MX Week 10 match.