It was an excellent weekend for Guadalajara's top two soccer teams, with both Chivas and Atlas winning at the expense of Nuevo Leon's two premier division teams.
In a scoreline that mirrored Chivas' result the previous weekend, the Tigres of the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon were put to the slaughter 3-1, with all the goals coming in the first half. Javier "Chicharo" Hernandez was the once again the hero for Chivas. The "Pea" netted twice within the first half hour before Tigres got one back. Hector Reynoso added the third in the dying minutes of the first half to cement Chivas' place at the top of the Mexican table.
With Group 1 of the Bicentennial 2010 tournament on paper the easiest group, Chivas are in pole position to capitalize on their great start to the season.
Also in Group 1, Guadalajara's Atlas produced the shock of the weekend with an emphatic victory at home in the Estadio Jalisco against the current Mexican champions - Monterrey.
Striker Miguel Zepeda got all three goals. The 33-year-old former Mexican international had been out of the top flight for two seasons, but is seemingly growing in confidence on his return.
"It was something unforgettable, I had a lot of luck today. This gives you confidence because it's the start of the tournament," Zepeda told Televisa.
Atlas' surprise victory against one of the favorites for this year's title should give the whole club confidence in their dual quest to reach the post-season playoffs and avoid relegation out of Mexico's premier division.
The start of the soccer season has been anything but rosy for the Estudiantes of Zapopan's Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara. The team lost 3-2 at home at the Tres de Marzo stadium on Friday night and remain on zero points. Early season optimism following their qualification for the Copa Libertadores has dwindled. The Estudiantes are currently in Peru preparing for their fixture against the Peruvian outfit Juan Aurich. As many other Mexican teams have found, the amount of traveling involved in the continental competition can often affect domestic form. Next weekend is the Chivas v Estudiantes derby that should bring a big crowd to the Estadio Jalisco.
Upcoming games (tickets on door):
Chivas vs. Estudiantes -Sat, Jan. 30 - 7 p.m. - Estadio Jalisco, Guadalajara
Santos vs. Atlas - Sun, Jan. 31 - 4 p.m. - Nuevo Estadio Corona
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