Action-packed Second Half see Venados F.C. top Group 3 in Copa MX
On the back of match week, one of Copa Mx, FC Juárez and Venados F.C. looked to swoop up all three points in this Group 3 clash. Newly promoted Liga MX side FC Juárez, looked to continue to rack up their win tallies early in their season following their first win in domestic league play over Toluca after two shaky losses to begin their campaign.
Venados FC, on the other hand, has begun its season with two wins one against Los Loros in Ascenso MX play and one being in last week’s Copa MX fixture against Atlante making them the group leaders. Los Venados’ confidence was riding high as a perfect start to their season was on the table but beating Los Bravos in their stadium would be no easy task.
The match began with as a defensive battle with both sides not even sniffing at each other’s box. An opportunity finally arose as the away side almost took a surprising lead over Los Bravos. Venados F.C. hit the post in the 21st-minute breeding some life into the game. A water break in the 27th minute soon followed as it was reported to be a scorching 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Minutes after play resumed, Los Bravos at last found the breakthrough in the 30th minute. Foward Eduardo Perez got in between the Los Venados’ defense and caught them sleeping as a lofted ball over the defenders did them in as Perez was through on goal and he did not miss his opportunity.
Los Venados pushed for an equalizer toward the end of the half with a multitude of crosses into the box. They made most of the possession in the end but could not do much with it. FC Juárez shut down all of their opponent’s chances and took the lead heading into the half.
Estadio Benito Juárez was lively as the second half began as more fans came into the stadium with the home team leading and looking to put the side from Mérida away. Los Venados had other ideas though, as Francisco Uscanga popped up in the 47th minute with an absolute golazo. The rocket of a shot seemed to leave a trail of fire in its path as the ball was in the top corner in a blink of an eye and all of a sudden Los Venados had quickly wiped away Los Bravos’ lead in a single strike in less than 2 minutes of action. It was game on again.
Los Venados came out with a vengeance to start the half as they played more lively creating chances and shutting down FC Juárez in the process. It begs the question: what did manager Sergio Orduña say to fire up his players? His side would have another chance in the 51st with a dangerous shot across goal catching Los Bravos with men upfield. Fortunately for the home fans, it went wide going past the post.
Los Bravos would get a clean shot at goal, however, in the 54th from goalscorer Perez after a venomous run from Gaby Hachen causing the defense to collapse creating the chance as a result. Perez would disappointedly sky it over the bar, though. Gaby again would beat his marker and run at Los Venados’ defense setting up striker Leandro Carrijó for a shot that the keeper would eventually routinely save in the 63rd minute.
The away side again would catch Los Bravos being unorganized in the back as midfielder Gustavo Nuñez was through on goal but struck the ball past the far post in the 73rd. In the process injuring himself and soon needing to be replaced.
Los Venados had the home side on the back foot putting pressure on the defense and testing Los Bravos’ reliance. In the 87th minute, Los Venados looked have stolen it with a curling shot at top of the box from Gael Acosta that rendered the keeper helpless. Hearts seemed to drop for the home fans, but fortunately, the shot went wide of the far post.
Both teams would push in the dire embers of the game but no critical chances came to be as the game finished in an action-packed draw. A point saw Los Venados top the group with 4 points in two games in Copa MX play as they take on Potros UAEM in Ascenso MX. As for FC Juárez, Los Bravos end the day in second in the group behind Los Venados and take on Cruz Azul next in La Liga MX.
