TIJUANA - Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente began their preseason friendlies with a 1(0)-1(3) loss in a penalty shoot out against recently promoted Argentine club Defensa y Justicia. The match ended in a 1-1 draw after the regulatory 90 minutes and had to be decided via the penalty kick shoot out.

Tijuana was not able to score any of its penalty kicks as Cristian Pellerano, Israel Jimenez, and Paul Arriola all had their shots saved by the Argentine goalkeeper.

The visiting side took the lead in the 17th minute of play through a Damian Martinez long range shot.

With more heart and desire than with tactical order Xolos were able to tie the game. Dario Benedetto pressured the Defensa y Justicia defense into turning the ball over and took it himself to slot it past the goalkeeper.

The match turned a bit rough in the second half as both teams looked for a winning goal. The match slowed its pace down when one of the light towers at the stadium went out. After consulting both captains the referee decided that there was enough light to continue playing.

The match ended up with neither team finding the winning goal and having the a peanlty shoot out decide who will face the winner of the earlier match. The visitors were able to score three out of their four shots, while Xolos missed all three of theirs. There was no more need to continue once the third goal went in and declared Defensa y Justicia the winner.

In the earlier match Club Tijuana second division affiliate Dorados of Sinaloa - where several promising Xolos youth talent plays - were able to pick up a 3-1 win over recently promoted side Leones Negros of UdG.

The third place match and final of the Copa Tijuana will take place on Saturday night at the Estadio Caliente. Leones Negros will take Club Tijuana in a battle for the third place. Dorados will try and avenge the loss against the Argentinians when they play in the final of the Copa Tijuana.

Find all Tijuana Xolos news in English here.

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jonny.rico@sandiegored.com (Follow Jonny Rico on Facebook and Twitter)