retired_roxysunny101

September 2003

Our timing is poor. As we drift into Zander Zitero’s office in the Estadio Azteca we can see that the boss is on the phone; but then again the way he had been working in the past few days it would be hard to find a point in the day when he’s not on the phone to somebody. We are certainly not so naïve to think that Zander would be in relaxation mode on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean for the 8 days before América (MEX)’s next match, but it would be fair to say we expected the former Mexican international to have some respite after such a hectic start to the season. This has not been the case.

Zander Zitero has spent much of his time, during this spell without a match, calling around clubs an enquiring as to the prices of some players he considers as targets. As we hover over Zander’s desk we can see some pieces of paper with names underlined, names who we can only presume are targets for Zander Zitero; names such as: Eduardo Rergis, Héctor Altamirano, Óscar Mascorro, and beside these names, in brackets are c. £5 Million which suggests that Zitero‘s enquiries have seen these men priced slightly outside of his range.

As we look further down we can see names crossed out in red pen, presumably because they are now ex-targets; names such as: Ramoncita Morales, Jesús Arellano, Juan Carlos Cacho and César Delgado, all of which have £11 Million + beside their names - suggesting these players price tags will mean they never pull on the famous yellow jersey of América (MEX).

The respective pieces of paper that have the names of the players above on them have been somewhat pushed to one side; we can see his attention has been more focused on the sheet of paper directly in front of his, headed Bosmans. On this sheet of paper we can perhaps see the players most likely to possibly arrive at the Azteca, we can tell this by Zander Zitero’s quaint little happy faces and ticks littered around the names; names like: Inigo Rey, Conejo Pérez, Juan Francisco Palencia, Oswaldo Sanchez, and Claudio Suárez. We can assume that not all of these players will be América (MEX) players next season, but we can also assume a couple of them will be - especially Inigo Rey; we can tell by decorative stars and multiple underlining of this kids name that Zander Zitero is very keen on the 19 year old striker and will be looking to pull out ll the stops to make him an América (MEX) player for the season 2004/05.

However Bosmans do not sign until next June, and cannot be procured until late December/ early January so we can expect more imminent signings for when the transfer window opens in December. That would be the explanation for the literally hundreds of names on the 3 or 4 sheets marked ‘attainable’, however much of these prospective new signings depended on the futures of ‘the Foreign 3’.

Franky Oviedo as we expected has had his future resolved this week - It was decided that he would not play enough football over the two years remaining on his contract to justify keeping him so the Colombian international will move to Morelia when the transfer window opens on the 20th of December for a fee of £800,000. Oscar Ariel Gonzalez has also had his future resolved over the past few days - the average Argentinean simply is not good enough - in the eyes of Zander Zitero - to hold a foreigner spot at this club and he will move to Cruz Azul for a handy £300,000 when the transfer window re-opens Finally, Luiz Carlos, a man who’s very name makes Zander Zitero think back and wonder what he was thinking; has moved to Ponte Preta for £50,000 this week because the Brazilian transfer window has not yet closed.

It is fair to say that the week when there was no football to be played was one of the busiest weeks for Zander Zitero - three outgoing players and countless prospective new signings, although nothing concrete yet. However - as Zander is well aware of as he comes of the phone with the Chairman of Puebla - the transfer window does not open until December and right now the Mexican Opening Stage Championship, and the upcoming match against Toluca is most definitely the top priority at the moment.

retired_roxysunny101

September 2003

With vital América (MEX) stars Cuauhtémoc Blanco and Pavel Pardo both feeling a little tired after the Puebla match it was undoubtedly a good time to have an eight day break before the next fixture in the league; a fixture which brings us back to the Estadio Azteca with both América (MEX) and Toluca well rested and raring to go after a hectic culmination of August.

A plus point coming into this match for Zander Zitero is a player called Christian Ramirez, who was frozen out of the América (MEX) team by the previous manager, but the 25 year old centre back has impressed in the reserves so far this season and has been promoted to the first team squad; in truth he looks a better centre back than Salinas, but we will have to see how he copes in the full team; to use a cliché: it is like a new signing.

That virtual new signing we mentioned could be useful today, because as we peer into the home dressing room we can see two notable absentees - Francisco Javier Esteche and Ricardo Rojas - who are away on international duty with Paraguay and Chile respectively. A look at the players stripped and ready for action tell us that Jose Manuel Azuara and Christian Ramirez will step in for those two players this fine Sunday evening.

As the two teams file out of the dressing rooms we can get a better look at some of the more dangerous players wearing red and white. The eye is immediately drawn to José Cardozo - instinctive and quality striker and captain of Toluca, and inexplicably not away with Paraguay with Esteche. It is also clear to see that Toluca will have a very capable engine room; with Israel Lopéz and Rafael Garcia both having good seasons. In fact their is notable quality all over the field which have propelled them to 2nd place in the table.

However as the players make their way on to the pitch, the 50,000 fans creating the astounding wall of sound do not expect to have to worry about Toluca, these passionate supporters will be expecting the home team to make all the running and destroy Toluca like lambs to the slaughter. Somehow Zander Zitero, coming out after his team and taking his place on the bench, knew it wouldn’t be that easy.


7/9/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #8)/ América (MEX) Vs Toluca / Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 2nd | | Toluca | | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 18 | 5 | +13 | 16 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 5th | | América (MEX) | | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 23 | 9 | +14 | 15 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Ramirez ; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Azuara, AMC - Blanco; SC - Romário, SC - Oviedo

The ever-expectant fans of América (MEX) may have expected some sort of massacre - as the do every home match, but one look at the league positions of the two sides told you that this match would be a tight affair - as well as the fact that Toluca are defending Champions - and that neither team was likely to run away with it.

Nonetheless América (MEX) did make the more purposeful start, with Blanco looking lively, having a shot from the edge of the box well saved by Hérnan Cristante after 10 minutes. After the Blanco effort the next 10 minutes passed with América (MEX) continuing to look the better side, although failing to create a real clear cut opportunity. However, when the first clear cut opportunity did present itself it was gobbled up hungrily; it was again due to the endeavour of Blanco, who, on a mazy run, got into the box and as he looked to shoot he was crudely scythed down by Erik Espinosa. Inexplicably, captain Pavel Pardo pulled rank and decided to take the penalty ahead of José Julián de la Cuesta, in the end it made no difference as the man with 90 Caps for Mexico slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

With the atmosphere at a peak and América (MEX) playing good football it certainly looked like a 2nd goal would be on the cards. Franky Oviedo, Chuy Mendoza and Romário all came close to grabbing the predicted 2nd goal but squandered their opportunities, and the game ticked towards half time with the score still 1-0.

Luckily Chuy Mendoza managed to atone for his miss earlier in the match by getting the elusive second goal 5 minutes before the break. It was a measure of how much América (MEX) wanted the second goal that Pavel Pardo was even at the bi-line; but after doing well to get there he drove a tantalising ball across the face of goal; legs were outstretched but it evaded everyone until it reached the back post; where Chuy Mendoza slid in to make in 2-0 going into the break.

The second goal had given América (MEX) something of a comfort zone and when the two teams emerged for the second period - with América (MEX) having swapped Romário for Encarnación - there was a noticeable change in attitude with América (MEX) seemingly happy to play out the 45 minutes.

Toluca happily took up the reigns and began to attack, in all honesty América (MEX) defended very well and even considering the ball hardly ever left the home sides half they looked quite comfortable, the hour mark came and went. Nevertheless there was a hush around the Azteca, this was terrible viewing and there was always a danger that if Toluca got one they might get another.

They got one. On the 71st minute Miguel Ángel Carreón rose highest from a routine Israel Lopéz corner kick which should have been bread and butter for defenders if they were marking tightly enough. The header was emphatic, as was the reaction around the stadium - sheer anger; Toluca now had 19 minutes to score one goal and América (MEX) had brought it about themselves with their negative outlook on the second half when Toluca were there for the taking.

They only needed three minutes. Substitute Enrique Alfaro, playing on the right of the front three Toluca had implemented for this half, rose highest at the back post after a deep cross from the left by Brazilian playmaker Zinho. Without doubt it was a well deserved equaliser and the Azteca was an amazing Amphitheatre of silence.

For the last 15 minutes América (MEX) attempted to kick back into gear but it was far, far too late, and when the final whistle went they trudged off the field to a chorus of very well deserved boo’s - very much a new feeling for the legendary Zander Zitero.

América (MEX) (Pardo pen 22; Chuy Mendoza 39) 2 - 2 Toluca (Carreón 71; Alfaro 74)


Isn’t it amazing how a match can finish as a draw, but yet neither team actually feels like they’ve drawn. As we walk up the corridor where the dressing rooms are, we float into the room on the right; and we see a team who feel like they’ve just won a match, but let’s not hang around too long in case of some sort of elation overdose. If we drift across and into the opposite dressing room we witness a team who feel like they’ve lost a match; they were in complete control and - not due to changes in tactics at half time as it might have appeared - they lost their grasp and have to contend with only getting a point.

In truth there is no justification for one sides elation or the other sides dejection - a draw is a decent result for both side and infact sees them 2nd and 3rd respectively. Nonetheless, if we look forward in the calendar we can see that América (MEX)‘s next two fixtures are away from home, and only 3 days separate them, so one might be inclined to think this was slightly a better result for Toluca than it was for Zitero‘s América (MEX).

retired_roxysunny101

September 2003

Amongst players, manager, and fans alike, there can be little doubt that the home draw against Toluca represented one of the worst 45 minutes of Zander Zitero’s reign at América (MEX). More worrying than that was the apparent regression to the tactics of horribly deep defending when in the lead, which we witnessed in Zander Zitero’s first couple of matches in charge.

At least, with a week before the next game, there was plenty of time to work on rectifying the mistakes that were made in that second half; and after a lot of the pressing out-going transfer dealings resolved in the week before the match against Toluca, Zander Zitero was happy to have 7 days to work solely with his players ahead of travelling to Guadalajara.

It was actually a comparatively quiet week with no bids for players, no injuries, Cuauhtémoc Blanco being quiet; just a week of good progressive training ahead of the match against Chivas, which they left for on the Friday. Speaking of which, Francisco Javier Esteche and Ricardo Rojas were certainly popular faces on the coach to Guadalajara as they were most definitely missed in the second half capitulation against Toluca when we could have used some more quality in midfield and solidarity at the back.

Match day. I call this one “Reader in Awe”; no? well you should be, as the Estadio Jalisco is perhaps the only stadium in Mexico that can compete with the Azteca in terms of magnitude and atmosphere. Especially today, as despite the fact they are 15th (inexplicable considering they have players like Oswaldo Sanchez, Ramoncita Morales, Alberto Medina and Bofo Bautista) they can still boast a crowd of just under 60,000 people to welcome their side onto the field against Zander Zitero‘s side - clearly expecting their team to come good on this humid Sunday evening.

The Dutch manager of Chivas, Hans Westerhof, had the easiest job in the house, the 60,000 screaming fans populating the Estadio Jalisco were surely doing his team talk for him - no professional footballer worth his salt would need motivated going out to this. Zander Zitero, on the other hand was being a little more measured in his build up to this match; going over the line-up, and the formation and the strategy for the 90 minutes; but as his troops walked onto the deafening battlefield he had a horrible feeling all his words would be rendered nul and void by the passionate home supporters.


14/9/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #9) / Chivas Vs América (MEX) / Estadio Jalisca, Guadalajara


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 6th | | América (MEX) | | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 11 | +14 | 16 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 15th | | Chivas | | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 10 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Rojas ; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Esteche, AMC - Blanco; SC - Romário, SC - Oviedo

Due to many of their near rivals playing on the Saturday, América (MEX) had slipped to 6th in the table come kick-off time. The players knew it, too; and the start of the games reflected this with América (MEX) looking the more adventurous of the two sides. In fact they came close to opening the scoring twice in the first ten minutes; first through a de la Cuesta header from an Esteche corner; then a Romário turn and snapshot from just inside the area forced a good save from Mexican No.1 Oswaldo Sanchez.

Nevertheless Chivas managed to ride out América (MEX)’s barnstorming start and came into the game themselves as the half progressed, with the talented wingers on each side - Ramoncita Morales and Alberto Medina - coming to the fore, teasing Castro and Martinez, and whipping in a few dangerous balls which had dealt with well by Rojas and de la Cuesta; the one cross that did find a Chivas head was headed over by Bofo Bautista, who, otherwise was being expertly shackled by José Julián de la Cuesta.

As the second half continued towards it’s climax it was anybody’s guess who would get the opener; but it was clear an opener was coming as the game was very attack minded. In the end the goal came after 37 minutes, and whilst not a classic Zander Zitero was not complaining; it came after a Chuy Mendoza corner was headed towards goal by Pavel Pardo; the diminutive captain’s header was only parried by Sanchez, and the returning Ricardo Rojas got the final touch in the ensuing scramble to put América (MEX) into the lead going into half time .

América (MEX) were clearly warned at the interval not to fall into the defending trap again, and when the teams emerged for the second half it was the men in yellow who continued to push forward; and this time, unlike the first half, the broke through the Chivas rear guard early in the half. It came from a free kick about 25 yards out, at a slight angle, Blanco was standing over it, and to everybody’s surprise Blanco just clipped a nice all to the back post where Chuy Mendoza rose highest to claim his second goal in as many games with an authoritative header.

Unsurprisingly, after that 2nd goal América (MEX) didn’t push forward as much; but the main thing being that they were not defending on their own 6-Yard line. Chiva’s pushed forward, but without any real creativity, they looked like a team withering under the pressure of their league position and their fans and América (MEX)’s defence held firm, with eventual Man of the Match winner de la Cuesta marshalling the back line supremely.

With Chivas’ desperation growing, and with the men in red pushing more and more bodies forward; they were inevitably hit on the counter attack. After the umpteenth Chivas attack weakly breaking down de la Cuesta played a glorious 50 yard cross field pass to Romário leaving much of the Chivas team out of position going for that elusive goal; the Brazilian found a great pass to take both the remaining Chivas defenders out of the game; leaving Blanco a clear run on goal to calmly make it 3-0, and to utterly destroy the game as a contest with ten minutes left, and in doing so beginning a disgusted exodus of supporters from the Estadio Jalisco.

Chivas 0 - 3 América (MEX) (Rojas 37; Chuy Mendoza 50; Blanco 79)


As we drift away from the eerily empty (considering it’s only minutes after full time) Estadio Jalisco, basking in the beauty of night-time Guadalajara, we’re left with a couple of departing thoughts: 1. Isn’t América (MEX)’s away form good, considering they are surprisingly inconsistent at the Azteca, no doubt Zander Zitero will be hoping that continues with a win in the next away match - which is only three days away. And 2. Why are Chivas so poor? They have players that Zander Zitero has on his wish list as well as countless other full Mexican Internationalists, and have a great stadium and support, one must assume that they will start to climb the table very soon.

Nonetheless, we are more concerned with the former of those thoughts (unless you particularly care for Chivas, in which case feel free to dwell on the latter), as we will soon see if Zander Zitero and his América (MEX) charges can keep up their excellent away form in three days when we meet up with them again in 3 days time in the Estadio La Corregidora.

retired_roxysunny101

September 2003

It would be a fair assumption, given the incessant phone calls and large sums of money being banded about over the phone, that Zander Zitero spent the three days after the Chivas match making yet more enquiries about possible signings. No doubt we’d find out if those phone calls amounted to anything concrete in the next few days.

In the mean time, the more pressing issue was América (MEX)’s 2nd away game on the trot, although it is very difficult to say that in a distaining tone given Zitero’s men’s away form at the moment.

After such an emphatic win against Chivas you would expect no changes in the América (MEX) line-up; however, as we look at the young, eager figure of Number 14 - Diego Encarnación we can see that Zander Zitero has seen fit to tinker with the team and put the soon-to-be departing Franky Oviedo on the bench for this game. A brave move by the young manager, but a dangerous one if América (MEX) find themselves on the wrong end of a defeat come 90 minutes.

17/9/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #10) / Querétaro Vs América (MEX) / Estadio La Corregidora, Querétaro

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 3rd | | América (MEX) | | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 11 | +17 | 19 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 9th | | Querétaro | | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 10 | +4 | 13 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Rojas ; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Esteche, AMC - Blanco; SC - Encarnación, SC - Romário

The opening stages of this match were very cautious - to be kind. And to be completely honest in the first 15 minutes there was not a shot on goal to be seen; and as the away side América (MEX) would have to be the more pleased with the dire start to this fixture.

Mercifully the game kicked into life as the half progressed; with Querétaro attacking midfielder Allann Delon proving to be the catalyst, hitting probing passes as well as having a few decent efforts on Alberto Becerra’s goal. It was indeed Allonn Delon’s probing that saw an opening to the scoring on the 25th minute; a beautifully weighted through ball by the Brazilian proved perfect for pacy striker Carlos Ochoa to leave Ricardo Rojas in his dust and latch on to; and when put through one on one with the keeper Ochoa’s initial effort was well saved by Becerra, but with Rojas treading water Ochoa was the first on hand to tap in the rebound.

From then onwards Querétaro had the better of the first half, with Allon Delon and Carlos Ochoa systematically destroying the América rearguard, and there can be no doubt that the half time whistle came as a huge relief for Zitero’s entrenched troops.

By the pattern of the play in the second half Zitero’s team talk was easy to see: ‘if you are attacking Delon and Ochoa can’t get the ball’. América (MEX) were by far the more adventurous side in the second half, creating a couple of good chances, both of which were passed up by Romário. This tactic also left Zitero’s side open to counter attacks, and they could be thankful that bad decisions were made by Querétaro midfielders when the right pass could have meant 2-0 on a couple of occasions.

América (MEX) did, however, get their reward for their adventurous second half outlook just before the hour mark; a nicely dinked through ball by Blanco was absolutely made for the lightening quick Diego Encarnación, and the 17 year old forward latched on to it, accelerated away from the chasing centre back, and when one on one with the keeper he did not panic and slotted the ball past Erubey Cabuto.

América (MEX) now had the wind in their sails and they continued to push forward and look for the goal that would take them into the lead. That goal so nearly came a matter of minutes later when Blanco played a nice ball into Romário; Romário used all his skill to work space for the shot in the box only to see his left footed effort crash off the bar and away to safety.

However, América (MEX) - now clearly the better side - did not have long to wait for the 2nd goal. As the clocked ticked on to 70 minutes Chuy Mendoza made another one of his forages down the left hand side; the Mexican winger got to the bi-line and did wonderfully to cut a beauty of a ball back towards the penalty spot; and whilst defenders and attackers alike were sluggish to attempt to deal with the ball, Diego Encarnación came onto the ball with the confidence that only sheer ability can give you, to nearly take the roof out of the net with an absolute bullet of a finish.

Querétaro made a slight effort to get back on level terms, pushing men forward, but in the second half Delon had been man marked by Pavel Pardo and without him dictating the play Querétaro looked a shadow of the side who had ripped América (MEX) to pieces at points in the first half, and in truth they rather weakly surrendered the game.

Querétaro (Ochoa 25) 1 - 2 América (MEX) (Encarnación 57, 70)


Inside the winning dressing room Diego Encarnación sits, clutching his prize of a bottle of Champagne for winning Man of the Match; everybody - bar none - have patted the Young man on the head or on the shoulder, or at some way acknowledged and congratulated him on his immense showing in the second 45 minutes to win the game for América (MEX) - in all honesty Diego looks slightly embarrassed.

The way the 17 year old clutches at the Champagne as if it were a child, and the way he is almost in tears due to his euphoric state tells us that Diego’s personality as a man is very different from the confident swagger he displays on the football field. One thing is for sure, the media will be building up this kid big-time, and after starting this game as ’a risk’, it will be very interesting to see just how the shy, slightly overwhelmed Diego Encarnación copes with starting the next match as the hottest youngster in Mexican football.

retired_roxysunny101

Knew I’d mess up the Stadium Pictures sooner or later

September 2003

Prior to the home match with Santos Laguna Zander Zitero finally confirmed the signing of a player for when the transfer window opens again. Mexican striker Antonio de Nigris will sign for quite a hefty £1,700,000 on the 20th of December from Spanish side Poli Ejido. No doubt if we delve into the mind of Zander Zitero when de Nigris actually arrives at the club then we will find out more about him; but at the moment you can forgive Zander for having his mind more on league matters.

Santos Laguna were next on the card for América (MEX) at the Azteca, where their recent form had been a mere shadow of their form on their travels. Nonetheless, the América (MEX) faithful came in their tens of thousands - no doubt excited by the news that they are to sign a man who was one of Mexico’s hottest properties a couple of years ago - and expecting América (MEX) to card a comfortable home win.

Santos Laguna would be no pushovers though, they have improved a lot since América (MEX) mauled them in the PrePre Libertadores phase, and with a player like Jared Borgetti around the men in the away dressing room will be very dangerous adversaries for Zitero‘s men.

And, yes, it was a week where Diego Encarnación found himself in many-a Mexican sports column, and rightly so after a fantastic performance which turned the game against Querétaro, and as expected he will start his second game on the bounce; with the América (MEX) faithful no doubt looking to see some magic from the youngster. The only change from the team that faced Querétaro is German Villa for the suspended Pavel Pardo.


21/9/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #11) / América (MEX) Vs Santos Laguna / Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 3rd | | América (MEX) | | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 22 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 13th | | Santos Laguna | | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 12 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Rojas ; DMC - Villa (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Esteche, AMC - Blanco; SC - Encarnación, SC - Romário

Both sides exchanged niggly fouls, long range efforts and yellow cards in the opening period of this match; again, the flowing football we are so used to seeing from Zander Zitero’s team was noticeably absent in their home ground.

In spite of that fact América (MEX) were still the more adventurous of the two sides and began to dictate the play as the half progressed, before finally making the break through. In a crowded penalty area the referee spotted a foul on Romário and decided to give another rather dubious penalty in favour of América (MEX). In the absence of Pavel Pardo there was no discussions and José Julián de la Cuesta dispatched the ball with venom into the corner of the net.

The match continued to be a scrappy affair, albeit a scrappy affair which América (MEX) were controlling. There was massive disappointment just before half time, as Diego Encarnación was taken off injured to be replaced by Christian Zepeda leaving the crowd in something of an anti-climactic state.

Half time came and went, and the second half continued with no real change in focus from either side, which succeeded in keeping the game a poor spectacle, and up to the 54th minute there had actually only been three shots; there was about to be a fourth.

Fabian Estay made a good run through midfield, and then found a bit of cutting edge where it had been missing in the last nigh-on an hour, by playing a ball into the box and finding the feet of Jared Borgetti, and the man who is arguably the best Mexican striker in the World made no mistake in drilling the ball into the bottom corner to make the scores level.

A few minutes of unprecedented pressure followed from the home side as, in a state of mild panic, they pushed lots of bodies forward; this period of pressure culminated in Romário being put clean through, and the Brazilian tried a nonchalant chip over the keeper; it had the dip, but not quite the direction as in bounced off the upright to the chagrin of the 56,000 bodies in the Azteca.

This seemed to take the wind out of América (MEX) and as the match entered the closing quarter Santos Laguna nearly grabbed the lead when a snap shot by Fabian Estay - who was turning back the years with his performance in midfield - smashed off the underside of the bar and bounced considerably high in the air, before landing in the grateful arms of Alberto Becerra.

The way shots were bouncing off the woodwork it was be a fair summation to suggest fate was not on either teams side; if so then fate got her wish as neither side could get the winner and the match ended with a 1-1 draw; and yet another game without a home win for América (MEX).

América (MEX) (de la Cuesta pen 32) 1 - 1 Santos Laguna (Borgetti 56)


Going a few games without a win at home is nothing extraordinary in itself, but the dumbfounding thing in América (MEX)’s case is the fact they are so good away from home; and as the players look at their morning papers with the league tables at the back, they will see - as they sit in 2nd place - that they could easily be top of this league. Not that being top of the league is all that great - all it really means is you will be more pi$$ed if you’re team does not win the knockout competition that decides the champion because really you were the best team in the league.

It is certainly not any sort of crisis yet, but América (MEX) will have to get their away form sorted out in the near future, otherwise they will severely struggle when the knockout phase of the championship commences (which América look like they’ll be in, as a top 8 finish looks likely).

retired_jdupont

De Nigris is a good signing. :thup:

Also great victory you got against Chivas (who is owned by Vergara one of the richest people in Mexico and who also owns Saprissa in Costa Rica). :thup:

Did you notice that Chivas have no foreigners (except maybe someone with Mexican second nationalty)?

retired_roxysunny101

PLMF: I didn't notice that, but I did notice Chivas have some of the top Mexican stars; even with my limited knowledge of Mexican football I know that Medina, Morales, Bautista, Sanchez etc are top quality, and I can't see Senor Westerhof lasting long if thier league position doesn't improve. de Nigris is a slight risk but should be worth the £1.7M, after all he was immense in the Mexican league before - as so many players from this part of the World do - he had his ill-fated spell in Spain.

September 2003

Considering the league stage of the Opening Stage Championship is only 19 games long, every game is now vitally important, especially now the league phase is only a few matches away from entering the home straight. In the eleven games that have taken place in the Mexican first division so far this season we have seen many teams who look technically very good, we have seen teams packed with talent, and we have seen teams getting up the table through sheer work ethic. Now anybody that wishes to keep their place in the top 8 come the 8th of November will have to show another characteristic - [I[Nerve[/I]; which brings us ever so neatly to match day at the Estadio Azteca.

An Estadio Azteca, filled to the brim with expectant and passionate fans who anticipate a home win. Yes, you, our loyal reader, can be forgiven for feeling that we’ve been here before. But this time the América (MEX) players populating the dressing room are determined to show some nerve in front of their own fans and lay this mini-ghost to rest once and for all before it becomes a real worry, and something that could potentially haunt Zitero’s side into the knockout phase of the League Championship.

To help América (MEX) claim this elusive home win they welcome back Captain Pavel Pardo from suspension; although they will be losing Ricardo Rojas to suspension and will be replaced by Christian Ramirez. Fans will no doubt be looking forward to a more extensive look at Diego Encarnación, who was stretchered off in the last match, but only out for a couple of days after a hefty tackle left him a bit sore, with some bruising.

Even without Rojas - himself only a stopgap for Davino - with such a strong eleven players striding purposely out onto the turf of the Azteca, it is, again, difficult for the impartial observer to see past an América (MEX) win when you compare to two teams on paper; but football is not played on paper, if it was then América (MEX) would have a considerably better home record, and the 53,000-strong crown would be a lot less pensive prior to kick-off.

28/9/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #12) / América (MEX) Vs Pumas / Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 2nd | | América (MEX) | | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 31 | 13 | +18 | 23 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 10th | | Pumas | | 11 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 15 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - de la Cuesta, DC - Ramirez ; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Esteche, AMC - Blanco; SC - Encarnación, SC - Romário

Given the spectators nervous states even before kick-off, they would not have appreciated Israel Martinez giving away a clumsy foul on the edge of the area only 2 minutes into the game. Brazilian free-kick specialist Leandro Augusto stepped up confidently; curled the ball beautifully over the wall, leaving Becerra rooted to the spot; but the ball crept just wide of the upright, leaving América (MEX) players, coaching staff, and fans alike, very, very relieved.

With the home crowd completely and utterly silenced after only 3 Minutes and 42 Seconds América (MEX) found it very difficult to build up any real attacking momentum in the early stages; but when they finally did start to push forward it produced immediate rewards. After 20 minutes, and with their first notable attack, América (MEX) managed to alleviate much stress inside the Azteca with the opening goal; it came after a great run by Encarnación which took him to the edge of the box culminated in him hitting a rather weak shot into the first defender; however, luck was on Zitero’s team’s side as the ball deflected into the patch of Blanco, and from 10 yards Blanco fired América (MEX) into a fortuitous lead.

The Azteca was now absolutely jumping, with drums and singing and chanting, and just all round jubilation; and then it wasn’t.

Literally a matter of seconds after América (MEX) got the lead they had so desperately, desperately wanted it was snatched away from them; Joaquin del Olmo won the ball in the centre of midfield and travelled forward with the ball at his feet with players inexplicably backing off him, and then, in nose bleed territory for the 34 year old shot-shy anchorman, he hit an effort from 25 yards which proceeded to fly into the top corner of Alberto Becerra’s net, clipping the post on the way in, - imagine Neil Lennon marauding up the field and spanking a wonder goal into the top corner, that’s what this amounted to - there was an air of ‘what’s next’ around the Azteca.

‘What’s next’ was a dire rest of the half, with both side seemingly looking forward to their half time break and a rest, and some further instructions. The instructions from Zander Zitero were clearly to go out in the second half and win the match.

45 Minutes of sheer pressure began with three efforts on goal from Encarnación, Mendoza and Esteche respectively - all of which made the keeper work, although if any had went in it would have went down as poor goalkeeping by Esdras Rangel. That level of pressure continued as time flew past - all to quickly for the América (MEX) fans - with Romário squandering three guilt edged opportunity; in truth the three chances had a combined distance of about 10 yards and his logic-defying misses left the crowd dumbfounded; and left him a rather unpopular figure when he was replaced by Franky Oviedo with 20 minutes left.

Oviedo’s introduction saw no real change to the pattern, still América (MEX) making all the running, but failing to score; the goal looked a certainty when Amado Israel López was sent off with 15 minutes to go in the match. But, as so often proves the case, this provoked a 9-men behind the ball strategy from Pumas which América (MEX) simply could not break down in the closing stages to the disappointment of their increasingly long suffering home support.

América (MEX) (Blanco 21) 1 - 1 Pumas (del Olmo 21)


This scene of eerie silence is becoming far too regular a sight come full time in the home dressing room of the Estadio Azteca considering that momentum is so important at this stage in the season. A massive plus point would have to be the fact that América (MEX) played very well, and if not for some modest finishing they would have ran out comfortable winners. However, that will be no consolation to the dejected players in the home dressing room at the moment, nor will it be a consolation to the disgruntled paying fans sauntering home after yet another home letdown.

Home Record:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 13th | | América (MEX) | | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 9 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

Away Record:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 1st | | América (MEX) | | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 7 | +9 | 15 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

retired_confal2

Superb -very original, and full of interesting stuff about Mexican football. Probably my favourite story at the moment :thup:

retired_roxysunny101

OMDave: Thanks mate, that’s good of you to say so. I hope you keep reading and enjoying.

October 2003

Considering the inconsistent, downright stuttering form América (MEX) had been displaying at home lately you could be forgiven for thinking an away game would be perfect for Zitero’s side as we approach this vital stage in the Opening Stage Championship; but when you consider the opposition and the events leading up to the match with regards to América (MEX)’s players then it is difficult to harbour too much confidence for the men currently occupying third place.

The ‘events leading up to the match with regards to América (MEX)’s players’ made reference to there is the reason - as we peer in to the visitors changing room - that Zander Zitero does not have a full strength team to rally. José Julian de la Cuesta is out of this match after reaching his yellow card limit, the commanding Colombian defender has been immense this season for América (MEX) and he will be a huge miss for Zander Zitero. Also missing will be Ricardo Rojas who picked up an injury during training before travelling to Monterrey; and he will be joined on the treatment table by prodigious talent Diego Encarnación who will be out for 2 weeks after twisting an ankle in training in the aftermath of two consecutive disappointing home performances by the 17 year old.

However, if we bring our eyes to the edge of the cloud some silver lining is visible, as Monterrey will mark the return from injury of Reinaldo Navia; the clinical Chilean will play up front with Romário in the partnership which proved so fruitful in the early stages of the season.

Despite the silver lining on our metaphorical cloud, there is a chance they could be - very much literally - humbled at the hands of Monterrey. A Monterrey side who looked arguably the best side in Mexico at the beginning of the season, and although their form has slightly tailed off as the season has went on, they still look very good for a place in the top 8, and will no doubt be a threat to win the Championship come the knockout stages; but more pressing at the moment, as the two teams make their way out, is the current threat they possess - through players like Guillermo Franco, Pablo Rotchen and Cesar Adame - which could see América lose their excellent away record (excellent if you’re willing to forget the first away game of the league season………. No, don’t try to remember it, let’s just continue with the story).


4/10/03

(Mexican First Division, Opening Stage, Match #13) / Monterrey Vs América (MEX) / Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey


<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 3rd | | América (MEX) | | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 24 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|| 5th | | Monterrey | | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 10 | +12 | 24 || ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

America (Mex): (4-1-2-1-2) GK - Becerra, DL - Martinez, DR - Castro, DC - Salinas, DC - Ramirez ; DMC - Pardo (c), ML - Mendoza, MR - Esteche, AMC - Blanco; SC - Navia, SC - Romário

One look at the América (MEX) line-up tells you that injuries have left the centre of their defence as a real weakness, with neither Salinas or Ramirez regulars in the América (MEX) team, and with neither of them really good enough to stake a real claim. The strategy to combat this from the outset by Zitero was clearly to have an attacking outlook on the game and in turn nullify Monterrey’s attacking flair. This is undoubtedly a risky tactic on the road, but it appeared to work as in the first ten minutes América (MEX) came close, firstly through Esteche with a curling effort from the edge of the box; then Reinaldo Navia nearly marked his comeback with a goal, and would have if it was not for a smart save from Juan de Dios Ibarra.

After the initial firework from the men in yellow the game entered something of a lull, nevertheless there were efforts on goal; a Pardo shot from distance forced a fairly routing save from Ibarra; before Guillermo Franco reminded everyone he was actually playing when the man with 8 goals so far in the campaign fired wide after a good cutback from Walter Ervitti.

Despite those chances at both ends the match reached half-time at a stalemate. That stalemate looked like continuing given the tone the second half started in: cynical - ‘tactical fouls’ as they are known in Italy where they are rife - reigned supreme with Pardo, Esteche, Ramirez, Mendoza, Franco, Ervitti and Adame all being booked for niggly challenges to stop the opposition progressing in one of the worst 10 minutes of football imaginable.

Monterrey, realising they’d have to take the initiative in front of 35,000 of their own fans at the airy Estadio Tecnológico, then began to take control of the game. Ervitti, playing on the left wing for Monterrey, was causing all sorts of havoc and giving Castro a very hard time. Although, it has to be said, despite their total possession and territorial dominance as the second half progressed chances were still a little thin on the ground, with only a Franco header from a Ervitti cross coming close to breaking the deadlock.

In the last 5 minutes Zitero brought on Oviedo for Romário and Azuara for Esteche to try and spice things up. It was to no avail as América (MEX) continued to look the less likely team; not that Monterrey were looking too likely themselves. All of which meant it was no surprise when the whistle went and the scoreboard still read 0-0.

Monterrey 0 - 0 América (MEX)


In truth this is not a bad draw for either team, and perhaps that is why there was no blood and thunder stuff as the final whistle approached, and why there is no particucular emotion too far on either side of the happiness spectrum in either dressing room. This result sees both sides stay level on 25 points while the team in 8th place - Necaxa - have 18 points, so you can see how, even at this point in the season teams are looking towards making the knockout phase of the Championship.

It is difficult to say this with any confidence of a win any more, but, when we next see América (MEX) we’ll be back on home soil in the Azteca, as they look to further solidify their place in the top 8 come November.

retired_roxysunny101

**Important**

October 2003

From reading thus far in this modest tale of a man striving to rebuild his shattered reputation we have learned about Zander Zitero, his players, and América (MEX); but in our roles as impartial observers with no real connection to the Mexican League (that’s why I can live with this mistake; if I was writing in first person as the manager and didn’t know the format of the league I’d look a total prat) we haven’t quite learned as much as we should about the format of the Mexican League.

Don’t worry, most of what you have been told is correct: Two Stages, Opening and Closing Championship; League Phase then knockout; but one thing is different, allow me to elaborate.

Right now this is the Mexican first Division:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Tigres | | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 9 | +20 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Toluca | | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 29 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Cruz Azul | | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 7 | +15 | 27 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Morelia | | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 15 | +14 | 26 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | América (MEX) | | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Monterrey | | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 10 | +12 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Querétaro | | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 15 | +5 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Jaguares | | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 14 | +5 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Tecos | | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Necaxa | | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Santos Laguna | | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | San Luis | | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Pumas | | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Pachuca | | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 15 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Chivas | | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 13 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Veracruz | | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 12 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Atlas | | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 12 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Puebla | | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 11 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Atlante | | 13 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 38 | -29 | 8 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Irapuato | | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 28 | -20 | 7 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

Now, the assumption was that the Top 8 teams in the league go into the Knockout phase, but that is not actually the case; this table is just to give you an overall feel of the league. There are actually 4 groups of 5 teams, and the top 2 from each of those groups go into the knockout phase; so with regards to the knockout phase this is more important:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Toluca | | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 30 | 12 | +18 | 29 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Monterrey | | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 10 | +12 | 25 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Pachuca | | 13 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 15 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Atlas | | 13 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 18 | 22 | -4 | 12 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Puebla | | 13 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 23 | -11 | 11 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | América (MEX) | | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 32 | 14 | +18 | 25 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Querétaro | | 13 | 6 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 15 | +5 | 19 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Tecos | | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 18 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Santos Laguna | | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 15 | +2 | 17 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Pumas | | 13 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 16 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Tigres | | 13 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 29 | 9 | +20 | 29 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Cruz Azul | | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 7 | +15 | 27 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Morelia | | 13 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 29 | 15 | +14 | 26 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Jaguares | | 13 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 19 | 14 | +5 | 19 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | San Luis | | 13 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 17 | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Necaxa | | 13 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Chivas | | 13 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 13 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Veracruz | | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 12 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Atlante | | 13 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 38 | -29 | 8 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Irapuato | | 13 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 28 | -20 | 7 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>

Now, to be perfectly honest I do not see what the point in these groups are considering teams don’t solely play teams from their group it would surely make more sense just to take the top 8 from the overall standings. Another problem I have with this system is: for example look at Chivas - they will get into the Knockout phase even though they are 15th overall just because the teams in their standings group are terrible; whereas Morelia will miss out because they have two teams that are doing very well in the league in their little group even though they are 4th in the overall table.

Nevertheless, that is how it works; for some reason the league is split into 4 standings groups; the top 2 of each of these groups go into the knockout phase disregarding overall league position.

Of course Zander Zitero, as a manager in the Mexican league, already knows this, and no doubt while we were pedantically prattling on he was busy preparing for the home match against the very ill fortuned Morelia.

I really hope you understood that, thank you.