Chivas get key victory over a depressing Tijuana

Chivas got back to winning after a triumph over a very poor Tijuana by a 2-0 score. Chivas was able to overcome an angry Chivas crowd, who came in upset over comments from Uriel Antuna. Antuna had taken part in an interview where he got asked a two choice answer in which he was asked if he wanted to win everything with Chivas or go to Europe. He chose Europe, which brought the wrath of fans over social media. Chivas will now have a tough midweek visit to play Monterrey on Wednesday before facing the second biggest game of their season against city rival Atlas. Tijuana look to have ended their season chances tonight and will return home to face Necaxa.

The first half started with Chivas having the return of their attacking trio in Alexis Vega, Jose Juan Macias, and Uriel Antuna. They also had the first game of the season for Luis Olivas, who took the place of the injured Hiram Mier. It didn’t take long for Chivas to get an opportunity when Macias got a shot that forced Tijuana goalkeeper Benny Diaz to make a save. Later a cross from Antuna (who was constantly getting booed because of his comments) was headed by Macias but it went wide. Chivas then had another chance when Vega got into the area and got off a right footed shot that forced Diaz to make a save. Then in a controversial play, the referee went to VAR and called up a handball against Christian Rivera. It looked like Jesus Ricardo Angulo had lowered the ball with his shoulder and thus it looked accidental, but the referee did not overturn the call. Jose Juan Macias stepped to take it, but his shot was poorly taken and stopped by Diaz. Chivas would have another chance when Miguel Angel Ponce got a shot from outside the area, but Diaz was able to make a save. Chivas still dominated play but they were less dangerous, as it looked like the constant booing was discouraging the players. Chivas came close again when off a corner kick, Gilberto Sepulveda rose to get a wide open header but it went wide. Chivas had a counter attack but lost a two-on-three when Vega failed to get to a pass from Angulo. The whistle blew and although Chivas dominated, they failed to open the scoring.

The second half started with Chivas looking to finally break through. They would finally get their goal when Angulo found Alexis Vega, who got a ball outside the area and got a long range shot that went just past Diaz’s hand for the 1-0 lead. It looked like Diaz could have done better with the shot, but Chivas had finally gotten the deserved lead. Antuna would get close later with a shot that was blocked by Diaz. Tijuana would make their first moves by subbing out Christian Rivera and Fabian Castillo for David Barbona and Junior Sornoza. Minutes later it looked like Jesus Molina was injured after dropping to the ground. He would have to be carted out and Eduardo Torres came in for him. Chivas had a great opportunity when Ponce got the ball in the area, but his volley was nicely saved by Diaz. Chivas then subbed out Jose Juan Macias and Uriel Antuna for Oribe Peralta and Sergio Flores in a couple of strange moves. Vega made a great move that found Peralta, but he made a terribly slow move that allowed the Tijuana defense to easily block his shot. Then a great combination play between Isaac Brizuela and Oribe Peralta ended with a pass to Jesus Ricardo Angulo, who got a strong left footed shot past Diaz to make it 2-0. Minutes later after a strong foul to Angulo, Gonzalo Jara got his second yellow card and thus a red card. Chivas subbed out Isaac Brizuela and Jesus Ricardo Angulo for Fernando Beltran and Angel Zaldivar. After a foul there looked to be a scuffle between Vega and some Xolos player after a foul on Ponce.

Chivas improved somewhat and got a result although they got a boost from a totally dispirited Tijuana team that looked to be severely hurt from losing their coach Pablo Guede over the weekend. Chivas needs to improve and might actually get help from a trip to Monterrey, away from fans mad at Antuna and doing a counter productive thing like booing him the whole match. Tijuana meanwhile looked terrible, as the resignation of Pablo Guede hit them hard, as they played the worst game of the season and were lucky to only lose by two goals. Xolos will look to have a final hurrah at home against Necaxa as they start planning their next season.