Luis Madrigal (black jersey) and Queretaro fell to Santos in Liga MX Apertura play on August 11, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
QUERETARO, Mexico – A 2-1 Liga MX Apertura loss at home to fellow Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League (SCCL) participant Santos on Tuesday left Queretaro head coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich to lament the errors that led to the setback.
The Gallos Blancos were undone by Djaniny Tavares’ brace as the Cape Verde international netted once in each half, scoring the game-winner by first-timing a flick off a throw-in. Emanuel Villa had leveled at 1-1 in the 25th minute with his third goal of the new season.
“The result leaves us discomforted and bothered,” said Vucetich. “We committed untimely mistakes. We must stop committing them in certain situations, so we don’t see ourselves disrupted.
“It was a back and forth match. We dominated the second half, but we saw ourselves on the losing end after that throw-in.”
The 60-year-old focused in on a relatively straightforward play that produced a devastating result.
From deep in the host’s end, Jose Javier Abella’s left-sided throw-in into the box found the head of Nestor Araujo, who flicked it on to an unmarked Tavares waiting gratefully at the penalty spot.
Up next for Queretaro is a visit to Veracruz on Friday in another Liga MX encounter, before it stays on the road for Tuesday’s SCCL clash at Verdes FC. A win over the Belizean champion would give the Gallos Blancos maximum points from two games and a comfortable spot at the Group C summit.
First, though, Vucetich wants to get his side back on the training ground.
“We have to work,” he finished. "This is a team matter. Sometimes mistakes are committed in defense, in midfield or up front. We have let go of important points, but teamwork will bring us through.”
Queretaro has a 1W-1D-2L record and currently sits 13th in the Apertura standings, only three points ahead of last-place Tigres.
