Tournament ends in heartbreak

Although the Tijuana Xoloitxcuintles schooled Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro in front of 22,000 fans at Indepence Stadium, the better team was eliminated from the the Bristol Copa Libertadores Thursday night.

At a press conference prior to the game, Xolos coach Antonio Mohamed acknowledged a nil nil tie would benefit his team but the attack-minded team would play their aggressive style throughout much of the match.

After a failed Mineiros attack led by Ronaldinho in the 25th minute, Tijuana countered with a Juan Carlos Nunez cross to Duvier Riascos who put the ball in the back of the Mineiro net.

But in the 40th minute an unnecessary foul by Xolos’ Christian Pellarano allowed Ronaldihno to center the to Rever who, left alone, scored at will.

In the second half  the Xolos continued pressing, exhibiting a total control of the game but was unable to score during the run of play. It appeared the game would end in a tie but in the 90th minute the referee awarded the Xolos a penalty kick.

Duvier Riascos, who scored the game’s first goal, sent the ball down the middle, allowing the Brazillian goalkeeper  to make the stop.

Though the game ended in a tie, Mineiro advances to the semi-final based on scoring two goals at Estadio Caliente during the first leg of the series.