Tijuana Xolos Liga MX CL 18 Week 5 Recap: Luck Favors Xolos, Again

The Tijuana Xolos played their fifth match in the Liga MX Clausura 2018 on Saturday when the border city team faced Santos Laguna away from home in a match that finished scoreless.

The game was set to be a tough match for the Aztec Canines, and Diego Cocca’s side was very lucky to come away with the point from the match. The Xoloitzcuintles are still undefeated and have yet to allow a goal after five weeks of play. This has been an incredible achievement for the team, but luck has also played a huge role in the Prehistoric Dogs’ success this season. Gibran Lajud has been in the best form of his career, and that form stayed consistent in this match as he played a crucial role for the Xolos. Diego Cocca used the same starting lineup that he used to get a 2-0 win against Puebla, but utilized a very different style of play.

Club Tijuana used a very conservative style of play, like it has all season, on the road to sneak away with the point from the match. The Xolos will now look to stay consistent as the Border City Dogs will host Queretaro in Week 6 of the Liga MX Clausura 2018.

Defining Moment: Disallowed Goal

In the 38^th minute of the match, a shot by Santos’ midfielder Jesus Isijara found the back of the net, but it was not considered a legitimate goal by the referee. The official did not feel that the ball completely crossed the line, but the replay did show the ball did cross the line as Gibran Lajud cuddled the sphere. Xolos have been lucky in this Clausura 2018 and this was another moment where luck heavily favored Diego Cocca’s side.

Man of The Match: Gibran Lajud

Gibran Lajud was just called up to the Mexico national team and is living the best moment of his career.  Santos Laguna was dangerous throughout the encounter, but the Mexican keeper had at least three crucial saves in this match and has still yet to concede a goal this season. Xolos have the potential to go far in this competition and Gibran Lajud’s efforts so far will go a long way in Tijuana’s success.

En el @ClubSantos 0-0 @Xolos también hubo momentos de emoción…

Chécalos en #ElResumen de este duelo de la #Jornada5 #Clausura2018 #LIGABancomerMX
⚽ #SienteTuLiga ⚽ #CreandoOportunidades #PorLaEducación #AbrazadosPorElFutbol pic.twitter.com/MONBi3phid

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) February 4, 2018

Main Talking Point: Xolos’ Luck

The disallowed goal by Santos Laguna was the second time this season where a decision by the referee has directly impacted a Xolos’ game. The first was in Tijuana’s Week 2 matchup, where a late goal by Necaxa was called offside where there was clearly no offside at all. Of course, the Aztec Canines were also lucky to come away with a point from the game against Monterrey, where Aviles Hurtado missed a penalty. Diego Cocca has done a phenomenal job with this team, but there is no doubt that lady luck has also been on the Xolos’ side.

Francisco Velasco

Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.