Total Soccer won both legs over Águilas Bacatá and qualified to the semifinals of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Águilas Bacatá 2-0 (2-0)

Fierro 28' penalty, J. García 45'+1'.

Total Soccer also won the first leg 1-0 and qualified with an aggregate score of 3-0.

Sunday, 13 November 2022, 4 pm local time (9 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Unidad Deportiva Atanasio Girardot, Medellín, Colombia, 6th stage of the Colombian Primera C (quarter-finals), 2nd leg.

A week ago, Total Soccer had won the first leg in Cota (near Bogotá) 1-0 after a great match and they were indeed big favourites to win the second leg as well, on their own ground.

Total Soccer starting line-up in the match against Águilas Bacatá. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

However, the visitors started the match in a very offensive manner, hoping to reverse the result in their favour. Total Soccer applied their usual tactics, trying to calm down the game and to maintain overall control, defending thoroughly and making use of swift counterattacks.

Águilas Bacatá starting line-up against Total Soccer. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

In one of such counterattacks, Jhonatan García launched Jonatan Martínez in the opposite box, and one of the defenders impeded the striker to play the ball (27'). The referee awarded a penalty, and the goalkeeper William Fierro scored: 1-0 (28').

The goal affected Águilas Bacatá, as they ceased to attack with the same intensity, while Total Soccer, on the contrary, seemed relieved and played much better. However, the biggest goal opportunity belonged to the visitors, as Lara tried a fancy finish (using a rabona) instead of a simple shot from close range (40').

Instead of an equalizer, the home side doubled their advantage at the end of the first half. Jhonatan García took advantage of the existing space in the opposite defence, broke through the lines, combined (one-two) with striker Jonatan Martínez, and placed a shot to the left of the goalkeeper while entering the box: 2-0 (45'+1').

In the second half, Total Soccer approached the game rather conservatively, trying to preserve their advantage. Águilas Bacatá had most of the ball possession, but did not know how to penetrate the opposite defensive lines. Only towards the end of the game, they tried some long range-shots on target (80', 90'), but Kevin Martínez saved in both occasions. On the other hand, Total Soccer had numerous chances to make it 3-0 on counterattack, but missed.

Total Soccer: Fierro (K. Martínez 56') - J. Mosquera, Gutiérrez, Montes, J. Avendaño - J. García (Ulloa 47'), Arboleda - E. Córdoba, J. J. Herrera (C. Herrera 60'), Londoño - J. Martínez. Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Águilas Bacatá: Arévalo - Algarra, Mejía, G. Hernández, Forero - Romero (Perdomo 66'), Cuadros, Monroy (S. López 46') - Lara, Rincón (A. Córdoba 46'), Fonseca. Manager: Álvaro Hernán Díaz.

Referee: Cristian Serna.

In the semifinals, Total Soccer will face Unión Pacífico Sur, the runners-up of the 2021 Colombian Primera C. The first leg will be played in Tumaco, department of Nariño, on the stadium of Unión Pacífico Sur, on Sunday, 20 November 2022, at 2 pm local time. The second leg will be played in Medellín, a week later.

In the other semifinal, Equipo Azul (of Valledupar) will face Cortuluá B (the second team of the professional side Cortuluá).