Xoloitzcuintles Created a Handful of Scoring Threats Against Tough Tigres Squad
In Tough Match Up Against Tigres Squad – Xolos Had the Scoring Opportunities But Couldn’t Convert to Goals, 0-1
Yesterday Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles coach Eduardo Coudet didn’t hesitate to say it.
“We played against a great opponent and we had many clear chances against teams that don’t forgive you [for missing],” Coudet said during his post-match news conference after Tigres UANL beat host Club Tijuana 1-0 Friday at Estadio Caliente. “They had three plays and one of them ended up in goal. They take the three points doing very little. The ones we had didn’t want to go in.”
Coudet referred to a handful of plays that ended with the ball smacking onto the woodwork. Midfielder Ignacio Malcorra blasted a left-footed free kick from outside the penalty box in the 83rd minute.
A few more inches lower and to the right, and the Argentine’s shot would have tied the match. Instead, it was Tigres coming into Tijuana and taking three points against a Xoloitzcuintles team that Coudet said played better than its opponent.
“It really hurts to lose points at home,” Coudet. “We were better than them but you can’t see that (in the scoreboard). We need to be better. We need to keep working. They controlled the ball well because they have good players but we had clearer scoring situations.”
A couple of those opportunities came off Gustavo Bou’s foot, the Argentine striker. He nearly found the net in the 60th minute when he sped away from defenders, fired a low shot with only Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman blocked it with his lower body as he fell to his knees.
Then Bou also sent a right-footed blast wide of the right post while a defender mirrored him. And there was also his 33rd minute flick that floated inches above the crossbar. The scoring threats were a result of Club Tijuana’s resilience to attack late in the match.
Coudet praised his team’s effort but said there is plenty of room for improvement.
“We have stacked up well against important teams,” Coudet said. “We are growing. We are leaving here not satisfied with the result but we were better on the field. We need time and more work. That is not an excuse. Friday (against Morelia) we need to get a win.”
The Xoloitzcuintles will now travel to Morelia to face Monarcas in a Week 12 match at Estadio Morelos Friday Sept. 29 (5 p.m. Pacific).
Photo Credit: Xoloitzcuintles
