XOLOITZCUINTLES UNDER-20 TIES IN VERACRUZ

VERACRUZ, Mexico -Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente’s Under-20 team lost a two-goal lead in the second half and settled to a 3-3 draw against Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz’ U-20 squad in a Week 9 match of the LIGA Bancomer MX Youth National Tournament.

 Jose Eduardo Espinoza opened the score for Club Tijuana in the 10th minute but the lead didn’t last long as Alan Delgado tied the game for Veracruz four minutes later.

Club Tijuana midfielder Fernando Arce Jr. would give the Xoloitzcuintles the advantage once again. He scored in the 35^th minute. Paul Arriola added to that lead, making it 2-1 before the half when he scored Club Tijuana’s third and final goal 40^th minute. Coach Frankie Oviedo’s team led 3-1 at halftime.

But Veracruz did not desist from attacking, eventually being awarded a penalty in the 72^nd minute. Omar Rosas did not waste his chance and scored on the penalty to cut Club Tijuana’s lead to 3-2.

Things became a bit more complicated for the Xoloitzcuintles when Luis Eduardo Garcia received a red card in the 80^th minute, leaving the Xoloitzcuintles with 10 players. Veracruz maintained its attacking formation and found the equalizer late in the match. Rosas would strike again and send in the tying goal in the 90^th minute.

The tie gives Club Tijuana a 3-1-4 record and remains in 6^th place in the league overall standings. The Xoloitzcuintles return to Tijuana next week and host CD Guadalajara’s Under-20 squad at Estadio Caliente as it hopes to snap the two-game tying streak with a win.