Necaxa vs Pachuca Match Preview
It's life or death for Necaxa and Pachuca as they face-off in a match with very different implications for each squad.
With a win to close out their dismal first season after promotion, Necaxa will assure itself of not being last in the relegation table going into the Clausura 2011.
With 22 points in 16 games, Pachuca, sitting in eighth place within the league table, can assure itself of obtaining one of the remaining three playoff spots with a win at the Estadio Victoria.
Surely Pablo Marini's squad are licking their chops at the opportunity, as Necaxa are the worst home team in the Apertura 2010. With two wins in eight matches, the performance at their home stadium is a large reason why the red-and-whites will sit the playoffs out.
Necaxa vs Pachuca Match Report
In Aguascalientes, Pachuca needed a win to stay alive and automatically qualify to the Apertura 2010 playoffs. In front of them was a team that knew they were eliminated from the postseason contention, but needed a win to boost their chances of staying in the Primera División and not further the risk of relegation.
Thus, the two squads with very different senses of urgency took to the pitch, with Pachuca's need weighing out in the end, as Leo Lopez and Damian Manso scored within the game's first fifteen minutes, dictating the game's tone from there on out.
Daniel Cervantes scored off a Javier Saavedra pass, making it 2-1 with twelve minutes to go in the first half. An eventful second half raised the game's pressure level as both teams had chances, but neither side could score.
In the game's final four minutes, three Necaxa players were sent off, capping off a disappointing return season to the Primera División which saw two managers lead the team to just 16 points.