Tigres end 29-year wait for third Mexican title
Reuters - Monday 12 December 2011, 04:50
Tigres UANL won their
third Mexican league title, and first in 29 years, when they
beat Santos Laguna 3-1 in the second leg of the Apertura final
in Monterrey on Sunday.
The University of Nuevo Leon side won the final 4-1 on
aggregate following their 1-0 first leg victory away to Santos
in Torreon on Thursday.
Tigres, whose previous titles came in 1978 and 1982, lifted
their first crown since the introduction of two championships
per season in 1996.
"This is something hard to describe, we carried the burden
of the club's history of not being able to get a title and now
we feel privileged, this moment is unforgettable for us," Tigres
midfielder Damian Alvarez told reporters.
Santos were down to 10 men from the 13th minute after
goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez was sent off for bringing down
Brazilian forward Danilinho.
However, Tigres did not take immediate advantage as reserve
keeper Miguel Becerra saved Lucas Lobos' penalty and then Santos
leveled the tie at 1-1 on aggregate on the half-hour when
striker Oribe Peralta scored from a Jose Cardenas pass.
Tigres equalised seven minutes into the second half when
striker Hector Mancilla headed home a cross from Jorge Torres
Nilo.
The home side's numerical advantage began to tell and in
the 64th minute they went ahead with a goal by Danilinho.
Santos' frustration boiled over and centre-back Felipe Baloy
was sent off for a bad foul on Lobos with 20 minutes left.
Tigres also had defender Israel Jimenez red carded for trying to
strike an opponent.
Substitute striker Alan Pulido put the match beyond doubt
with Tigres' third goal four minutes from time following a
one-two with Danilinho.
"We're going to rest for a few days because next week we're
going to have to get working again," said Tigres coach Ricardo
Ferretti after his 800th match as a trainer in Mexico.
The Clausura, the second of the season's championships,
kicks off on January 6.