By Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi
Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon
Cameroonian midfielder Frank Thierry Boya was on the scoresheet as Club Tijuana battled to a hard-fought 2–2 draw with Monterrey in the Liga MX Apertura 2025 on Sunday night.
Boya, who joined Tijuana earlier this year, produced one of his most commanding performances since arriving in Mexico, combining defensive discipline with a composed attacking display that included a well-taken goal.
Early Breakthrough for Boya
The 27-year-old opened the scoring in the 12th minute, capitalising on a loose ball inside the penalty area to fire confidently past Monterrey goalkeeper Esteban Andrada. His finish — controlled and powerful — reflected the growing confidence of a player finding his rhythm in the Mexican top flight.
The goal sparked early momentum for Tijuana, who pressed aggressively in midfield, with Boya anchoring play alongside Fernando Madrigal.
Monterrey Fight Back
Monterrey, however, showed their quality and depth, with Germán Berterame equalising just before half-time. The visitors then took the lead in the 52nd minute through Luis Romo, after sustained pressure and a clever exchange around the box.
Tijuana responded strongly, refusing to allow the game to slip away. Adonis Preciado restored parity in the 60th minute with a precise header from a Kevin Castañeda cross, ensuring both sides shared the points.
Boya’s Influence and Growing Role
Beyond the goal, Boya’s performance stood out for his work rate and tactical awareness. Operating as a deep-lying midfielder, he completed 86% of his passes, won multiple aerial duels, and broke up several Monterrey attacks with key interceptions.
Since joining Club Tijuana (Xolos), Boya has gradually established himself as a reliable presence in midfield — a role reminiscent of his early career at Royal Antwerp and Sint-Truiden in Belgium. His physicality, positional intelligence, and ability to transition play have made him one of Tijuana’s most consistent performers this season.
What It Means for Tijuana
The draw leaves Tijuana mid-table, but the result offers signs of improvement after a difficult run of form. Monterrey, among the league’s heavyweights, were made to fight for every inch of space — a testament to the hosts’ growing organisation under manager Miguel Herrera.
For Boya, the goal reinforces his reputation as one of the African players making an impact in North American football. With Cameroon’s World Cup qualifiers resuming next month, performances like this could yet bring him back into contention for a recall to the national team setup.
Match Summary:
Liga MX – Apertura 2025 (Jornada 12)
Venue: Estadio Caliente, Tijuana
Full-time: Club Tijuana 2–2 Monterrey
Goals:
12’ – Frank Boya (Tijuana)
45+1’ – Germán Berterame (Monterrey)
52’ – Luis Romo (Monterrey)
60’ – Adonis Preciado (Tijuana)
Player of the Match: Frank Thierry Boya (Club Tijuana)
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