Guadalajara 1 - 2 Pachuca

Pachuca came back to beat Chivas away 2-1 and head home for Sunday’s semifinals rematch with a decided edge in reaching the final.

The away victory means the Tuzos could afford to even lose by a goal and still advance to the finals since they took their third league crown in Apertura ’03. Chivas, meanwhile needs to win by at least two goals.

It was nearly the same situation that they faced in the first round against Jaguares, and they were able to storm back to score four in Chiapas.

Chivas, who are already playing with a handful of young reserves, escaped Bofo Bautista’s suspension on a technicality that states if a team has given up more than two players to the national squad, then said player can prolong the suspension.

The Holy Flock’s youth appeared to be against them but at first they showed the same exuberance that helped them get this far.

In the first few minutes, the striped goats were a wild herd, attacking from all sides of the pitch, especially young Sergio Avila, who was a nightmare for the visitors.

Avila found Jose Patlan in the 48th, who scored between two defenders.

But the celebration did not last long, however, as Uruguayan playmaker, Rich Nuñez struck home the equalizer just seven minutes later.

Chepo brought in some experience in the second half, in the form Diego Martinez, Sergio Santana and the aforementioned ‘Bofo’; but none made an impact.

It looked like the scapegoats would survive with a draw.
Then Hector Castro made the mistake of a lifetime: late in the game, with the Tuzos putting pressure, Eduardo Rergis sent a ball down the left flank, which Castro, hearing Nuñez’s boot-steps, tried to clear, and instead, sent it to his own goal.

No podemos dar a Chivas como derrotado, ha demostrado que puede remontar marcadores y nosotros no podemos perder eso de vista, el partido en casa va a ser difícil, pero debemos manejar el resultado, porque aún el rival está vivo", expresó el anotador del primer gol tuzo, el uruguayo Richard Núñez.

“We can’t underestimate the Chivas,” said Nuñez. “They’ve shown they can turn things around and we can’t lose sight of that. The game at home will be tough but we have to control the outcome, for the foe is still alive.”

The rematch is set for Sunday, May 14th in Pachuca.

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