Toluca, UAG vie for last slot in InterLiga finals
Clubs hope to clinch second berth out of Group A
That is what's at stake in Thursday night's Toluca-Tecos UAG Group A matchup at The Home Center.
Both teams are looking for the final berth in Sunday's InterLiga 2009 finals.
It's a must win situation for Toluca who sit with one point in the group standings behind Tecos and group leader Pachuca. The Tuzos have already clinched a slot in the finals.
A win would give the Diablos Rojos four points and practically put them into the next round as long as Pachuca comes up with a win or draw against Morelia in the opener of Thursday's double header.
Tecos need at least a tie against Toluca and some help from Pachuca.
Both teams arrived at this point thanks to one goal making a difference in their last game.
Tecos beat Morelia 1-0 Monday in Houston. It's a goal Tecos will take despite it being deemed a controversial one by Morelia.
Tecos' Diego Jimenez found the net via header from an Adrian Cortes pass while Morelia's Marvin Cabrera was seemingly injured.
Morelia players argued Tecos failed to practice fair play by continuing action rather than playing the ball out to stop play and allow the injured player to recover.
The goal counted and it helped put Tecos in a favorable position. But UAG is not taking Toluca, the Apertura champion, lightly.
The Diablos Rojos are coming off a 1-0 loss to Pachuca on Monday. It was a fluky goal by Pachuca's Edgar Benitez that made the difference. Toluca is looking for redemption. They failed to reach the finals in InterLiga 2008 by goal difference behind Atlas. Toluca reached the finals in 2005 where they lost to UANL Tigres 2-0.
Tecos is in their second InterLiga after going 0-2-1 in their first outing in 2007. But this year's team, despite being considered a "B" team, comes in with confidence. Expect Tecos to try and produce more chances on the attack while it relies on its defense to hold Toluca's attack at bay. UAG goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona is trying to forget a 4-0 rout by Pachuca Jan. 2.
Tecos is also looking for redemption. Knocking Toluca out of InterLiga competition and stalling their chance at Copa Libertadores will do just that.
Toluca eliminated UAG from the Apertura tournament with a 2-0 aggregate in the quarterfinals. The Diablos Rojos went on to win the title, beating Cruz Azul in penalty kicks.
Ivan Orozco is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
