Action from the Liga MX Apertura match between host Queretaro and Cruz Azul (white jersey) on August 21, 2015. (Photo: Mexsport)
QUERETARO, Mexico – With a pivotal Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League encounter next on the schedule, Queretaro halted a four-game Liga MX Apertura winless streak with a 4-2 triumph over visiting Cruz Azul on Friday night.
The Gallos Blancos had not secured three points from a domestic game since topping host Atlas in the season opener on July 25. They currently sit in 10th place (2W-2D-2L, 8 points), seven points behind table-topping Leon.
For head coach Víctor Manuel Vucetich, the result and performance were important, but he knows improvement is required.
“For us, it was a very important,” the 60-year-old expressed. “We had not won at home and we needed the points and this victory gives us breathing room to continue working.
“We are still committing mistakes. Two goals leaves us bothered. We’ll enjoy the win, but there is a bit of a bitter taste in our mouths.”
Forward Emanuel Villa enjoyed a stellar match, netting a hat-trick to give him seven goals in six games. The 33-year-old also scored Querétaro’s first goal in a 2-0 SCCL win over San Francisco on August 4.
“This is the work of the team,” said Villa in praise of his teammates. “It is very difficult to earn achievements by yourself. The team got back to winning at home after a start in which we weren’t able to do that in the league. As a striker, one always wants to convert and now it is coming through. You have to take advantage of the confidence that goals give you and keep doing things well, so that the team continues on a good path.”
Group C leader Queretaro (1W-1D-0L, 4 points) will look to remain unbeaten in the SCCL, when it visits San Francisco (0W-0D-1L, 0 points) in Panama City on Wednesday.