Tigres soar, Chivas dive

Published: Sunday, 12. February, 2012 in category North & Central America

Tigres´ first goal against San Luis oozed with the quality that is become associated with Mexico´s reigning champions, which are firmly installed as the team to beat this Clausura 2012.

In the 33rd minute, winger Elias Hernandez played a seemingly blind back-heel right into the path of the onrushing Israel Jimenez, who knocked it past the last defender and sublimely lifted the ball over ´keeper Oscar Perez.

Tigres went on to win the game 2-0 and are looking ominously rampant after securing their first title in 29 years back in December.

With the best defense for each of the last seasons, Tigres have only given away four goals in the first six games of this season, second only to city rivals Monterrey.

“The team is good and, even more than being the leaders and that there is no ´champion-itis´, the important thing is playing each game in the right way,” Hernandez told the press after the game.

Morelia, a semifinalist last year, had the better of previous leaders Santos Laguna, and are again looking like a potential contender.

The only unbeaten teams after six rounds of games are Cruz Azul and Pachuca.

At the bottom of the table are Chivas. Before the season, they were one of the favorites for the title after finishing last season as the league leaders, but the continued slump has raised questions in the media about the long-term viability of the club´s policy of promoting young players from the youth system and not signing players from outside the club.

Chivas lost 2-0 away to Monterrey on Saturday and the rebaño sagrado now has only one point from a potential 18 this season and is 11 games without a victory stretching back to Oct. 26.

Already the coach has been changed, but the atmosphere around the club is dull.

Full results from Round 6:

Morelia 3-1 Santos Laguna
Jaguares 3-0 Queretaro
Monterrey 2-0 Chivas
San Luis 0-2 Tigres
Pachuca 2-0 Estudiantes Tecos
Atlas 1-1 Club America
Atlante 0-2 Toluca
Pumas 0-2 Puebla
Club Tijuana 0-0 Cruz Azul