Lapses in Concentration Cost FC Juarez Against Cruz Azul

Bravos de FC Juarez paid the ultimate price for having two separate lapses in concentration as they were defeated by Cruz Azul 2-0 Saturday afternoon at Azteca Stadium. As is the case many times with the sport of soccer, the final score was not indicative of the type of match that it was. FC Juarez was solidly in the match and in most instances looked better than the team that they faced.

The match got off to a favorable start for the Bravos. Simply put, the team from the Borderland outplayed their rival for the first 45 minutes of the match. FC Juarez dominated ball possession, dictated the rhythm of the match and had the most thorough and closest threats on goal than did Cruz Azul. Halftime would come with the match tied 0-0.

The start of the second half would see much of the same, with FC Juarez continuing with a stellar performance on the road. It wouldn't be until the 64 minute when Edgar Antonio Mendez would take a weak shot on goal that would bounce of a Bravos defender and land at the feet of Roberto Carlos Alvarado who would basically walk the ball into the goal. This would be an incredibly bad break for the Bravos.

Ten minutes later on a corner kick for Cruz Azul, the FC Juarez defense would lose track of Pablo Cesar Aguilar for a split second, that would enable him to get free long enough to head the ball in without challenge for Cruz Azul's second goal.

The remainder of the match would fall into the hands of circumstance, as the Bravos were forced to attack to try to get back into the match by any means possible, this allowed for the status quo to change and for Cruz Azul to dictate the terms of the match and control it in all aspects.

Two of the briefest moments in lapse of concentration gave the Bravos their third loss in 4 matches.

Up next for FC Juarez will be a Copa MX match against second division Atlante in Cancun, Quintana Roo this Tuesday. The match is scheduled to kickoff 8 pm MST.