First win of the season for Cusco FC, over Alianza Atlético de Sullana

Cusco FC - Alianza Atlético de Sullana 2-1 (0-0)

F. Rodríguez 59', Fajardo 62' - Romaní 90'.

Sunday, 19 February 2023, 6 pm local time (11 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, the 5th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Cusco FC starting line-up. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Cusco FC had a string of issues at the beginning of this season, in line with other teams in the Peruvian First Division, and, more broadly, with the country as a whole. The dispute with the Peruvian Football Federation regarding TV rights brought nothing but trouble. The first two rounds of Apertura were postponed for security reasons related to the nation-wide political protests, while only a few games were played in the third round. Cusco FC chose not to play, and therefore lost 3-0 to Sport Huancayo. The Peruvian Football Federation did not change their mind regarding the TV rights, so all the clubs which did not play in round 3 were somehow forced to do so in round 4, otherwise they would have been relegated for a second walk-over, and not allowed to promote back to the First Division for many years. Cusco FC played "away" at Cienciano, but lost 2-0. Cienciano, like other clubs, did not allow the match to be broadcasted at all, to avoid any legal issues. However, when Cusco FC tried to do the same in round 5, in their home ground match against Alianza Atlético de Sullana, the Peruvian Football Federation already had an answer: referees were instructed not to start the game if it was not broadcasted by the TV channel sanctioned by the Federation (Liga 1 Max). Cusco FC officials had no other choice than to let the TV cameras in, as they knew that a second walk-over would have been fatal to the club. Well, they might be in trouble anyway, because they have a contract with Consorcio Futbol Peru (Gol Peru / Gol TV), just like other clubs, and one wonders how this issue will come to an end.

The match started more than an hour later because of the problems with the TV cameras. Back to football, one thing is for certain, the players were not very much affected by the delay, and the game was a pretty good one, even though goals were scored only in the second half.

Cusco FC reached the opposite goal quite often but did not score in the first half. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Alianza Atlético de Sullana tried to keep the possession of the ball as much as possible, and built their attacks rather slowly. They were particularly dangerous whenever they had set pieces, and especially corner kicks, but nothing came out of those eventually.

On the other hand, Cusco FC, much better adapted to the high altitude, played a much more direct football, attacking in a rather speedy manner, trying to destabilize the opposite defence by any means: passes, long balls, crosses in the box and so on. They were not quite successful in the first half, as Fajardo missed the target (20', 29'), and a claim for penalty by Felucho Rodríguez (28') was dismissed by the referee, who had previously dismissed a similar claim by Alianza Atlético players after a corner. Barreto's long range shot was saved by Melián, while the upcoming shot by Fajardo went wide (39').

Felucho Rodríguez (with the captain's armband) headed the ball in for the first Cusco FC goal this season. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Things went one way at the beginning of the second half, with Cusco FC putting more and more pressure for a goal, which finally came after almost 15 minutes. Da Luz opened up for Estrada on the right side, and his cross was headed in by Felucho Rodríguez: 1-0 (59').

Only a couple of minutes later, Cusco FC forwards pressured the opposite defence after a goal kick, and succeeded to get the ball. Da Luz passed to Fajardo in the box, who avoided a defender, and his shot went precisely in the upper left corner: 2-0 (62').

José Fajardo scored the second goal for Cusco FC. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

2-0 up seemed to be a safe advantage, so Cusco FC changed tactics, trying to preserve this advantage and therefore attacked less. On the other hand, Alianza Atlético de Sullana were forced to react and to respond, one way or another. Both managers changed some of the players, but the subs entered by the visitors looked more determined to make a difference.

 

So, it was one of Sullana's subs, Aryan Romaní, who was able to create a dangerous attack, took the ball back from his teammates, and had a wonderful shot from the right side of the box to the far post: 2-1 (90').

 

It looked like it was too late, but the 4 minutes of stoppage time brought more danger to Cusco's goal than the previous 89 minutes, as the visitors launched an all-in offensive which almost paid off in the last minute of stoppage time (90'+4'), when Alianza Atlético could have equalized, but their forwards missed the opportunity. 

Cusco FC: Hermoza - Estrada, Alonso, Quina, Gordillo (Yovera 90'+1') - Uribe, Barreto - Da Luz (Arakaki 70'), Ayarza, F. Rodríguez (Vidales 77') - Fajardo (Cantoro 77'). Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Alianza Atlético: Melián - Serra, Ganoza, Pizzorno, Mendieta (Romaní 78') - Ibáñez (Carranza 68'), Arias, Cornejo (De La Cruz 88') - Canela, A. Fernández, R. Torres (Manzaneda 68'). Manager: Carlos Desio.

Referee: Jonathan Zamora.

Yellow cards: Fajardo 50', Da Luz 64', Uribe 68' - A. Fernández 45', Mendieta 56', Arias 58', Carranza 82'.

In the next round, Cusco FC will play away at Academia Cantolao on Monday, while Alianza Atlético de Sullana will face Sport Huancayo at home, on Saturday.