Cienciano won the local derby over Cusco FC in the first official match of the season for both teams

Cienciano - Cusco FC 2-0 (1-0)

Garcés 10', 83'.

Friday, 10 February 2023, 7 pm local time (12 midnight UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, round 4, Apertura, Peruvian First Division.

This was the first official match for both teams this year. The social, economic and political situation in Peru was very difficult at the start of the 2023, and the first two rounds of Apertura had to be postponed. Then, the issue with thw TV rights was not solved in due time (and it is not clear when it is going to be solved), so both Cienciano and Cusco FC did not attend their official matches in round 3 a week before this match, which led to 3-0 defeats for walk-over. The same happened to other teams as well. Nevertheless, a second walk-over would have meant an automatic relegation to the Second Division, and the impossibility to come back to the First Division for a number of years, therefore all teams who did not attend round 3 had to give up their claims and protests and to play their game in round 4.

Cienciano and Cusco FC played the first match in round 4. Due to the social unrest and political protests around the country, they had to play behind the close doors. TV cameras were not allowed inside the stadium, and not even the regular (radio or written) mass-media was not allowed in, so the match was not broadcasted by any means. Fans were therefore denied the opportunity to see their favourites playing the first official match of the season. There were only some photos and short videos which appeared some time afterwards on Club Cienciano Facebook page.

Cienciano took the lead early, when Carlos Garcés had a great and powerful shot from outside the area, to the right of the goalkeeper: 1-0 (10'). 

 Carlos Garcés, with a brace, decided the game in favour of Cienciano. Photo source: Cienciano Facebook page

The home side's task to win the match was made much easier by the rough (and useless) foul committed in the centre of the field by Miguel Aucca, who was sent off (21'), leaving his team down to ten men for the rest of the game.

Nevertheless, Cusco FC, even in ten, had some opportunities, but it was not enough, as they were unable to equalize. On the contrary, the same Carlos Garcés took advantage of the dreamy mood of the two Cusco FC central defenders, who left a ball unattended in their own half, as he took the ball and had another great shot, this time to left of Daniel Ferreyra to close the game: 2-0 (83').

In the final minutes of the game, Cienciano had another big chance from close range, but this time Daniel Ferreyra was able to save.

Cusco FC (in gold) fought hard for a goal, but did not succeed it, as Cienciano controlled most of the game. Photo source: Cienciano Facebook page

Cienciano: Vargas - Garro, Beltrán, Leguizamón (Aparicio 75'), Quintana - Ojeda (Hurtado 68'), Torrejón (G. González 56') - Sandoval (Checco 75'), Romagnoli (Carpio 75'), Quintero - Garcés. Manager: Leonel Álvarez.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada, Quina, Alonso, Gordillo (Yovera 60') - Barreto (Ramúa 80'), Ayarza, Aucca - Vidales (Arakaki 60'), Fajardo (R. Díaz 73'), F. Rodríguez (Da Luz 73'). Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Referee: Diego Haro.

Yellow cards: Leguizamón 30', Ojeda 45'+2', Torrejón 48', Checco 76' - Alonso 44', F. Rodríguez 69'.

Red card: Aucca 21'.

In the next round, Cusco FC will face Alianza Atlético de Sullana on the same stadium, on Sunday, 19 February, at 6 pm local time, in the first game of the season which the public is allowed to attend in Cusco, while Cienciano will play away at Sport Huancayo on Saturday at 1 pm local time.