Cruz Azul held 0-0, advances easily to Group Stage

August 6, 2009

MEXICO CITY – Cruz Azul easily returned to the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League, settling for a 0-0 draw with Herediano on Wednesday night and advancing thanks to its dominating first-leg win a week ago.

Last year’s runner-up to Atlante, Cruz Azul had numerous chances as it did in its 6-2 victory in Costa Rica, but were thwarted by shots high, wide and some desperate defending.

Herediano also created chances, but its commitment forward to overturn a four-goal deficit left it vulnerable to counterattacks, which came down both sides.

Cruz Azul will join Group C with the Columbus Crew, Saprissa of Costa Rica and the Puerto Rico Islanders. It will open at home against Saprissa on August 19.

The Azulinos used several of the players from last week’s victory, including Javier Orozco, who had three goals.

While Herediano had several chances in the first half, the second half was almost all Cruz Azul, with Pablo Zeballos missed just wide of the right post on a header in the 51st , three minutes later when he turned and shot just off target again, and once more in the 70th when an unmarked header from the edge of the six-yard box skipped wide of the right post.

Alejandro Vela broke in alone on Herediano keeper Adrian de Lemos in the 41st minute, but Christhian Montero raced back and swept away the ball with a sliding tackle on the left side of the penalty area.

Herediano’s best chance came in the 26th, when Marvin Borbon’s free kick from 25 meters forced Cruz Azul keeper Yosgart Gutierrez to push it over the bar. Second-half substitute Jose Guity was unable to get his extended right leg to a cross through the six-yard box from Andy Herron in the 69th minute.

De Lemos scrambled most of the night to diffuse dangerous situations, while Guitierez had to make a handful of dramatic leaping saves.

Cruz Azul’s advancement secures a fourth berth in the Group Stage for Mexico for the second straight year.

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