STANDOUT PERFORMANCE BY XOLOITZCUINTLES IN 2014 COPA CHIVAS
Colombian National Team 1-0 Club Tijuana: Third Place match
GUADALAJARA –Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente’s youth team finished in the 2014 Copa Chivas with a standout performance during the tournament. The team came one win from the final and played to a 1-0 loss to the Colombian national team in the tournament third place match Tuesday Feb. 4 at the Verde Valle facilities.
The team coached by Franky Oviedo had a good outing in the competition and in the third place match, the Xoloitzcuintles pushed and pressured the Colombian goal but could not find the net. The Colombians took advantage of a defensive miscue and scored the game’s only goal three minutes into the second half. Carlos Renteria sent in the winning goal.
The Xoloitzcuintles were close to scoring on various occasions but the Colombian goalkeeper blocked shots by Luis Gerardo Chavez in the final moments of the match.
Club Tijuana reached the semifinal after finishing in second place in the Group B standings with 10 points after three wins, a tie and a loss in the group stage.
In the semifinals, the Xoloitzcuintles tied 2-2 with Atlas de Guadalajara after regulation and lost 7-6 in penalty kicks.
Fernando David Arce spoke about the Third place match of the 2014 Copa Chivas.
“We did a good job in the tournament,” Arce said. “The team stacked up against any team. We are happy but not satisfied. We know that Colombia is a World power at the national level. We made it competitive in the first half and also in the second but in the end, we couldn’t put it in (the net). This tournament leaves a lot of experience in playing against international teams and that was important.”
Meanwhile, coach Oviedo talked about the team’s commitment and enthusiasm shown throughout the competition.
“I am very proud of them,” Oviedo said. “We had a great tournament and this will help grow. Club Tijuana is always gaining recognition in all our categories and now at an international level we have left a great impression of the great work that is done at the reserves level.
The young Xoloitzcuintles will return to Tijuana to continue with preparations and participation in the Mexican soccer tournament.
