Tigres Femenil Maintains Leadership in the Apertura 2023
Tigres Femenil maintained the leadership of the Apertura 2023 by defeating Cruz Azul 1-0, but with many doubts in their football performance, with erratic play, without dominating the opponent and suffering too much from the absence of their star player Lizbeth Ovalle.
The university team reached 38 points and kept a two-point lead over América, who had momentarily taken the lead after beating Necaxa 5-0, but leaving serious doubts about what's to come, as they will face Rayadas in the Clásico Regio in two weeks.
Las Amazonas went ahead very early in the game, just 7 minutes in, in a play by Nancy Antonio on the right side. She performed two bicycle kicks against the marking and took a shot-cross that slipped past the goalkeeper and into the far post for the 1-0, making the fans in the stands at the Volcán rise to their feet.
The match turned into a monologue by the felinas, dominating a rival that could hardly advance beyond midfield before losing the ball. It wasn't until the 30th minute that they had their first shot on Cecilia Santiago's goal, a shot by the Brazilian Erica Gomes da Silva.
Without the "Maga" Lizbeth Ovalle, due to suspension, the auriazules' attack leaned towards the right side. But as the minutes passed in the first half, the regio team slowed down and allowed the cement team to gain confidence to attack for the equalizer, but without much clarity.
In the second half, things remained the same with Cruz Azul taking risks and the felinas waiting to counterattack, but also allowing their opponent too much with just a one-goal lead.
And at minute 68, La Máquina came close to the equalizer, but Cecilia Santiago prevented it by saving a shot from the Amazonian Gomes da Silva after a pass from Norma Palafox. Coach Milagros Martínez decided to take out the team's best player, until that moment, Anika Rodríguez, and sent in Jana Gutiérrez.
The first dangerous opportunity for Las Amazonas in the second half came until the 76th minute with a shot by Stephany Mayor. The feeling in the stands, among the nearly 4,000 spectators, was one of disbelief as they saw how their team couldn't dominate their opponent.
The minutes ticked away and the felinas were able to hold on to a meager lead that allows them to stay atop the tournament, but leaving many doubts about their performance heading into the final stretch of the regular calendar and with the Clásico Regio against Rayadas approaching.
