Mexican champions Monterrey lose again
Reuters - Sunday 30 January 2011, 23:03
MEXICO CITY, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Mexican title holders
Monterrey continued to struggle in the early rounds of the
Clausura championship after a 3-2 loss to Pumas UNAM in Mexico
City on Sunday.
Monterrey, who appeared to have stopped the rot last weekend
with a win and their first three points, are separated from the
foot of the table only by promoted Necaxa.
Necaxa's fourth successive defeat, 1-0 to Queretaro, led to
the sacking of Argentine coach Daniel Brailovsky, announced in a
brief statement by the club later on Sunday.
"We're aware that wins are always urgent, especially with a
team normally used to winning and putting on good matches. We
need to reach the level of previous tournaments," Monterrey
assistant coach Carlos Barra told reporters.
Pumas, who fielded a four-man front line, scored through
strikers Juan Carlos Cacho with his fifth goal in four matches,
Argentine Martin Bravo and a superb volley by Javier Cortes
while their goalkeeper Alejandro Palacios had a fine game.
Chile's Humberto Suazo scored a first-half equaliser for
Monterrey with a penalty and Paraguayan midfielder Osvaldo
Martinez a late consolation after Pumas had dominated the second
half at the Olimpico.
AMERICA WIN
America's decision to sack coach Manuel Lapuente and bring
back Chilean Carlos Reinoso for a third spell at the club he
also played for in the 1970s paid immediate dividends.
The Mexican giants ended Atlas's fine start to the season
with a 2-0 away victory on Saturday with goals in the final 19
minutes from Argentine-born former Mexico forward Matias Vuoso
and substitute Angel Reyna.
"I think we're on the right track and we deserved the win
because we never gave up on it. I'm going to be very demanding
and America must be a team that always goes out to dictate play
on any pitch and against any rival," Reinoso told reporters.
Atlas, however, remain the team with the most points, nine
after four matches. Pumas, San Luis and Toluca, now the only
three unbeaten sides, are a point behind.
Guadalajara, who rival America as the country's biggest and
most popular club, lost 1-0 to Estudiantes UAG in the western
city's derby with an added-time goal by substitute Eduardo
Lillingston on Friday night. They are equal with Monterrey on
three points.