Third consecutive defeat for Cusco FC in the Peruvian Apertura, 2-1 away at UTC de Cajamarca

Monday, the 17th of February 2020, 15:00 local time (20:00 UTC), Heroes de San Ramon Stadium, Cajamarca, Peru, the 3rd round of the Peruvian Liga 1 - Apertura.

Third match in Liga 1 and the third defeat for Cusco FC, which continues the negative run in the domestic league, despite a good result in Copa Sudamericana, a 2-0 win over Chilean Audax Italiano in the first leg of the first stage.

UTC de Cajamarca, on the contrary, is unbeaten and registered a new success on their own ground. However, Cusco FC was very close this time to get at least one point, given the great opportunities they had, including a missed penalty.

The home side, UTC, started very well and scored a double in the first 11 minutes. First, G. Martinez executed perfectly a free kick from just outside the area: 1-0 (9'). Immediately after, a ball from Goyoneche found Iberico on the right side, and his cross was headed into the net by Guevgueozian: 2-0 (11'). Two more opportunities for Huaman and Martinez gave the impression that UTC might win easily and comfortably.

Everything turned around after the 20th minute. Cusco started to play, and had a first chance by Delgado, whose shot went just a little wide. Then, a cross by Carranza from the right was headed in by Posito: 2-1 (23'). The visitors took control of the game and missed several important chances to equalize, by Bolo (with his long-range shots) and especially by Delgado, whose header from close range went again wide (42').

In the second half, Cusco FC continued to dominate and to have important chances, but the home side responded better on the counterattack. Delgado missed again the target with another close range header, but the biggest chance of all was a penalty give for a foul on Carranza, but missed by Carando (68'). Campodonico had the clearest goal opportunity for UTC, while the desperate efforts of the visitors had no result and in the end the score remained 2-1.

UTC: Libman - Estrada, Ortiz, Aparicio, J. Rodriguez - Diez, Goyoneche - Iberico, G. Martinez (Espinoza 89'), Huaman (Campodonico 46') - Guevgeozian (Ramirez 72'). Head coach: Franco Navarro.

Cusco: Farro - Toledo, Paniagua, Vilchez, Cespedes - Carranza, Delgado, Aucca (Guidino 81'), Bolo - Posito (Ramua 57'), Carando. Head coach: Javier Arce.

Referee: Hilbert Villegas.

Yellow cards: Goyoneche 65', Ortiz 67', J. Rodriguez 90'+3' - Vilchez 45', Aucca 73'.

Cusco played better than in their previous two games, one also has to mention that their opponents were weaker than the previous two opponents. However, there are still no points for the Cusco FC which continues to be in the bottom part of the table, despite their tradition (as Real Garcilaso) to be in the upper side of the table, and even struggling for the national title and a place in international competitions.

The defense remains one of the biggest issues to be solved. As long as UTC attacked, they scored twice in 11 minutes. Then, Cusco attacked for 70 minutes but only scored once, at the beginning of this period, when they theoretically had control of the game. They were very dangerous from set pieces, but again, they missed every opportunity they had, scoring from action, but not from free kicks and not even from the penalty spot. Bolo executed very well some of the free kicks and corners, before Ramua entered the field. Then, Ramua took over, but his performance was rather poor. Carando missed the penalty and one has to ask if he is the one who should execute penalties with Ramua and Bolo both on the field.

Franco Navarro, UTC's head coach, guessed better the way this match could be won and he made good changes in his team throughout the game. Campodonico, who replaced Huaman at half time, was one of the best players in the field in the second half. On the contrary, the two players Javier Arce sent in, Ramua and Guidino, brought nothing (or almost nothing) for Cusco, unexpectedly especially for Ramua, who is usually a key player for Cusco, but not this time.

In the next round, UTC will play away to champions Binacional, while Cusco FC will have a very difficult game at home, actually at Sicuani, against FBC Melgar.
Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 3 (14-17 February 2020)

Cienciano – Deportivo Llacuabamba 5-2

Universidad César Vallejo – Deportivo Binacional 0-2

Academia Cantolao – Ayacucho 0-2

Carlos Stein – Universitario 1-3

Sport Boys – Carlos A. Mannucci 3-3

Alianza Lima – Atlético Grau 1-0

Universidad de San Martín – Alianza Universidad 1-2

FBC Melgar – Sporting Cristal 1-0

Sport Huancayo – Deportivo Municipal 1-1

UTC – Cusco FC 2-1

                                                            Table

1	Universitario de Deportes	3	3	0	0	7-3	9	Qualified for the play-off
2	Alianza Universidad	3	3	0	0	6-3	9
3	UTC	3	2	1	0	4-2	7
4	Cienciano	3	2	0	1	10-4	6
5	FBC Melgar	3	2	0	1	6-4	6
6	Binacional	3	2	0	1	6-4	6
7	Ayacucho FC	3	2	0	1	5-4	6
8	Carlos A. Mannucci	3	1	2	0	7-4	5
9	Sport Boys	3	1	1	1	7-7	4
10	Alianza Lima	3	1	1	1	4-4	4
11	Sport Huancayo	3	1	1	1	3-3	4
12	Deportivo Municipal	3	0	3	0	2-2	3
13	Sporting Cristal	3	1	0	2	4-5	3
14	Deportivo Llacuabamba	3	1	0	2	7-9	3
15	Universidad San Martín	3	1	0	2	4-7	3
16	Academia Cantolao	3	1	0	2	3-6	3
17	Universidad César Vallejo	3	0	2	1	2-4	2
18	Atlético Grau	3	0	1	2	1-3	1
19	Cusco FC	3	0	0	3	3-7	0
20	Carlos Stein	3	0	0	3	1-7	0

Round 4 (21-24 February 2020)

Deportivo Binacional – UTC

Deportivo Municipal – Carlos Stein

Sporting Cristal – Sport Huancayo

Atlético Grau – Sport Boys

Cusco FC – FBC Melgar

Universitario – Universidad César Vallejo

Carlos A. Mannucci – Academia Cantolao

Ayacucho FC – Alianza Lima

Deportivo Llacuabamba – Universidad San Martín

Alianza Universidad – Cienciano