In an intense Liguilla Apertura semifinal game, Cruz Azul beat Morelia 2-1 and reached the Mexican Championship final once again.
"The Blue Machine" will try to win a trophy that has been denied them since Invierno 1997. Their rival will be Monterrey, a team that has had an inspirational Liguilla, thanks to Antonio De Nigris' memory. The Rayados defeated Toluca, the top team of Apertura 2009, and will make their best effort to win their third Mexican Liguilla since Clausura 2003.
One year ago, Cruz Azul fought for their ninth title in history, but Toluca stopped them and won in a great battle. Now, after a glorious revenge against the "Red Devils", "The Blue Machine" will face Monterrey in the final, thanks to manager Enrique Meza's great job. "Ojitos" Meza will coach in his second final in a row. He lost in the Clausura 2009 final versus Pumas, when he was Pachuca's coach.
The first leg between Monarcas and Cruz Azul ended 0-0 in a boring game celebrated at Morelos Stadium. Tomas Boy and his pupils knew that a road victory was necessary to advance, and they took the lead in the second leg at Mexico City with a Miguel Sabah goal (49'). The 1-0 score put Cruz Azul further away from Liguilla, but the response was wild from the "Blue Machine."
Javier Orozco (58') and Argentinean Emanuel Villa (65') turned around the score for Cruz Azul and all the fans went wild at Azul Stadium.
The triumph will give Cruz Azul a new opportunity to win their ninth league championship after a 12-year title drought.
On the other side, Monterrey drew 1-1 with Toluca and progressed 3-1 on aggregate. The Rayados won 2-0 in the first leg, thanks to a couple of goals from Aldo De Nigris.
In the second battle, Toluca had the assignment had the assignment of coming back from two goals down against Monterrey, but their effort was not enough. In fact, Rayados scored first, practically punching their tickets to the final.
Coach Victor Manuel Vucetich smiled when Abraham Carreño (71') put the ball in Toluca's net, because he knew his team would be playing in the final next week versus Cruz Azul.
Isaac Brizuela (80') trimmed Toluca's deficit, but it was not enough for "Chepo" de la Torre and his team.
Monterrey will try to create another disappointing final for Cruz Azul, who lost a couple of finals and became a double runner-up in 2008, versus Santos Laguna and Toluca.
Abel Reyes Díaz is a contributor to GlobalSoccerCenter.com.
