CANCUN FC LOSES TO ATLANTE IN THE FIRST LEG OF THE QUARTER-FINALS
CANCUN FC LOSES TO ATLANTE IN THE FIRST LEG OF THE QUARTER-FINALS
The Iguanas dominated the Potros at the 'Andrés Quintana Roo' stadium, but they were unable to avoid defeat with a goal by Rafael Durán at 47' and ended their streak of 13 games without knowing defeat as host
Cancún, Quintana Roo, April 25, 2024.- At home, at the 'Andrés Quintana Roo' stadium and with its people, the champion, Cancún FC, dominated its archrival, the Potros de Hierro del Atlante, but could not avoid defeat (0-1) in the first leg of the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Clausura Tournament of the Expansion League, with Rafael Durán's goal in the 47th minute.
Just like in the 2023 Apertura Final, the duel caused great expectation among the fans, to the point that it practically packed the stadium on superblock 21. Now, in the Quarterfinals, both teams were engaged in a relentless fight for a ticket to the Semifinals.
Prior to the match, the Iguanas' board of directors, headed by vice president Giovanni Solazzi, sports director Jonathan Himelfarb and director of sports operations Alejandro Vela, presented a recognition to the top scorer, Colombian José Rodríguez.
Cancún FC created the first big chance with Raúl Castillo, when he escaped down the right and forced the blue and red team to clear the danger.
The hosts repeatedly attacked with chances from Castillo himself, from the Colombian Rodríguez, and from Alfonso Tamay, the latter with a spectacular Chilean kick in the 34th minute. On the other hand, Atlante, well-retained in its lower square, withstood the pressure from the Caribbean team.
At 40', José Rodríguez dared to shoot from long distance, forcing the goalkeeper, Humberto 'Gansito' Hernández, to work hard and keep the ball with difficulty.
The first half was drawing to a close when Alfonso Tamay managed to get a cross in to the near post, which hit the goalkeeper, Hernández.
In the stands, fans were treated to a great party with the new LED lighting technology. A shower of laser beams and pyrotechnics made the evening even more spectacular.
The second half began when Atlante surprised the champions with a cross from the left flank by Armando Escobar (sent off in the 80th minute), which Rafael Durán took advantage of to finish and beat the left post, past goalkeeper Gustavo Gutiérrez. By the 47th minute, the Potros were already winning.
The Caribbeans made a couple of changes at 57': Luis Loroña and Jorge Díaz Price took the places of Alfonso Tamay and Jorge Díaz Price, respectively. Later, Paúl Uscanga, Rodrigo Reyes and Axl Padilla took their place.
It was the 59th minute and Cancún FC had a great chance, the clearest of the match, when Johan Alonzo, alone and unmarked, crashed the ball into the body of the goalkeeper, Humberto Hernández.
The result ended a 13-game unbeaten run at home for the team coached by coach Luis Arce. It also forces them to win by two goals to advance to the Semi-Finals, next Sunday in Mexico City.
The Iguanas dominated the Potros at the 'Andrés Quintana Roo' stadium, but they were unable to avoid defeat with a goal by Rafael Durán at 47' and ended their streak of 13 games without knowing defeat as host
Cancún, Quintana Roo, April 25, 2024.- At home, at the 'Andrés Quintana Roo' stadium and with its people, the champion, Cancún FC, dominated its archrival, the Potros de Hierro del Atlante, but could not avoid defeat (0-1) in the first leg of the Quarterfinals of the 2024 Clausura Tournament of the Expansion League, with Rafael Durán's goal in the 47th minute.
Just like in the 2023 Apertura Final, the duel caused great expectation among the fans, to the point that it practically packed the stadium on superblock 21. Now, in the Quarterfinals, both teams were engaged in a relentless fight for a ticket to the Semifinals.
Prior to the match, the Iguanas' board of directors, headed by vice president Giovanni Solazzi, sports director Jonathan Himelfarb and director of sports operations Alejandro Vela, presented a recognition to the top scorer, Colombian José Rodríguez.
Cancún FC created the first big chance with Raúl Castillo, when he escaped down the right and forced the blue and red team to clear the danger.
The hosts repeatedly attacked with chances from Castillo himself, from the Colombian Rodríguez, and from Alfonso Tamay, the latter with a spectacular Chilean kick in the 34th minute. On the other hand, Atlante, well-retained in its lower square, withstood the pressure from the Caribbean team.
At 40', José Rodríguez dared to shoot from long distance, forcing the goalkeeper, Humberto 'Gansito' Hernández, to work hard and keep the ball with difficulty.
The first half was drawing to a close when Alfonso Tamay managed to get a cross in to the near post, which hit the goalkeeper, Hernández.
In the stands, fans were treated to a great party with the new LED lighting technology. A shower of laser beams and pyrotechnics made the evening even more spectacular.
The second half began when Atlante surprised the champions with a cross from the left flank by Armando Escobar (sent off in the 80th minute), which Rafael Durán took advantage of to finish and beat the left post, past goalkeeper Gustavo Gutiérrez. By the 47th minute, the Potros were already winning.
The Caribbeans made a couple of changes at 57': Luis Loroña and Jorge Díaz Price took the places of Alfonso Tamay and Jorge Díaz Price, respectively. Later, Paúl Uscanga, Rodrigo Reyes and Axl Padilla took their place.
It was the 59th minute and Cancún FC had a great chance, the clearest of the match, when Johan Alonzo, alone and unmarked, crashed the ball into the body of the goalkeeper, Humberto Hernández.
The result ended a 13-game unbeaten run at home for the team coached by coach Luis Arce. It also forces them to win by two goals to advance to the Semi-Finals, next Sunday in Mexico City.