MEXICO CITY, Oct 30 - UNAM's miserable run of
results in the Mexican championship continued on Sunday when
they lost 2-1 at home to arch-rivals and defending champions
America.
America, who had lost their last two games after previously
going unbeaten for 28 matches, returned to winning ways with
two goals in a six-minute spell midway through the second half.
Argentine midfielder Christian Gimenez opened the scoring
when he headed home a cross from his compatriot Claudio Lopez.
Gimenez went off two minutes later and was replaced by
volatile Mexico striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco, who was on the pitch
for only four minutes before he hammered home the second.
The Pumas, who won both the Clausura and Apertura
championships played in 2004, pulled one back in injury time
through Argentine striker Martin Cardetti.
America, who had already clinched their place in the
quarter-finals of the Apertura championship last week, lead
Group One with 32 points from 14 games.
They are followed by Necaxa, who have 28 points and also
booked their place in the last eight with a 2-1 win over
Pachuca.
UNAM, coached by outspoken former Real Madrid and Mexico
striker Hugo Sanchez, are rooted to the bottom of Group Two
with 13 points, having won only three games.
Meanwhile, Cruz Azul and Monterrey qualified for the
quarter-finals by guaranteeing the top two places in Group
Three.
Cruz Azul, who lead the group with 29 points, won 1-0 at
Veracruz with a goal on the hour from Mexico striker Francisco
Fonseca.
Monterrey won 2-1 at San Luis to remain a point behind.