Concha's last minute equalizer restored justice

Cusco FC - Alianza Lima 1-1 (1-0)

F. Rodríguez 45'+3' penalty - Concha 90'+6'

Sunday, 13 August 2023, 3:15 pm local time (8:15 pm UTC), Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium, Cusco, Peru, the 8th round of Clausura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

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

Cusco FC and Alianza Lima drew 1-1 after an intense game, at the end of which Cusco FC may consider themselves unlucky, as they received the equalizing goal in the last action of the game. Nevertheless, it was a well-deserved goal for Alianza Lima, which played better in the second half and had a high number of goal-scoring opportunities, and even a goal cancelled for an offside of a few milimetres.

Alianza came to Cusco with a new manager, Uruguayan Mauricio Larriera, expected to bring a third consecutive title for them. On the other hand, another Uruguayan, Pablo Peirano, is enjoying a very long period as a manager for Cusco FC (well, according to Peruvian standards at least), which is about one year and a half by now. It is the second largest in Cusco FC history (including Real Garcilaso history), after that of Freddy García, who stayed for nearly three years.

Nevertheless, Cusco FC did not start the Clausura very well. They only won two games out of seven so far, and one of the reasons is the absence of striker José Fajardo, who was initially out with the Panama national team for the Gold Cup, and then got a transfer to DC United in the MLS, so Cusco FC are now without their main attacking player.

Pablo Peirano had to think of someone to substitute Fajardo, but so far Olivares, Cantoro and Díaz, the three remaining strikers, were far from expectations. So, in this game against Alianza, Peirano converted winger Da Luz and midfielder Ayarza into full strikers. Cusco FC almost won the game, but it is hard to tell whether this idea was inspired or not.

 Large crowds gathered to see the match. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

In the first half, the two teams shared periods of domination and control, as well as some good chances. Ayarza stole a ball in midfield and had a wonderful run, finishing with a good shot to the near post, which almost touched the post (15'). Guivín's shot to the far post had a similar trajectory and went slightly wide (25'). At the other end, Cueva was one on one with Ferreyra, but could not get the ball past the goalkeeper (31'). Ferreyra also saved a couple of excellent shots by Barcos and Concha.

Right before the break, "Felucho" Rodríguez cross from the left and Ayarza was impeded to push the ball into the net from short range (41'). It took almost seven minutes for the referee (with the help of VAR) to decide that it was a penalty. The same Felipe Rodríguez transformed the penalty: 1-0 (45'+3').

Felipe Rodríguez preparing to convert the penalty. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

The second half belonged almost exclusively to the visitors. There is not enough room to describe all the opportunities that Alianza had and missed. Cusco FC made a step back, then several steps back, concentrating on the defense. Barcos was blocked twice by Ferreyra in the same action, as he headed first, then the ball returned to him, and he had a shot, but to no avail (60'). 

Alianza even scored, by means of García, but the goal was cancelled for a previous offside to Aldair Rodríguez (72'). VAR confirmed the offside (for milimetres). VAR called again for a possible red card to Uribe, but it eventually remained a yellow card (80'). One may say that all VAR decisions were against Alianza Lima, in the end! The same García could have been Alianza's hero, but he missed from just a few yards, as Míguez headed the ball towards him (87').

All these incredible chances were eventually revenged in the sixth minute of stoppage time. Jairo Concha had enough space at about 25 metres away from the target, and a shot to the left of the goalkeeper, and Ferreyra was finally beaten, although he slightly touched the ball, but not enough to keep it out of the way: 1-1 (90'+6').

 Jairo Concha scored the equalizer for Alianza Lima. Photo source: Alianza Lima Facebook page

There were seven minutes of stoppage time, and the referee added one more, but nothing really happened, so one may actually say that these was the last relevant action of the game. Alianza deserved the equalizer, given their continuous efforts in the second half, and they were partly helped by Cusco's ultradefensive tactics, which did not pay off (once again). In the final minutes, the two so-called strikers, Da Luz and Ayarza, were completely exhausted, but the manager did not substitute them, although there were some options on the bench, and fresh legs would have meant a lot in trying to deter Alianza's actions.

Cusco FC: Ferreyra - Estrada, Alonso, Quina, Gordillo (Benincasa 85') - F. Rodríguez (Vidales 68'), Barreto, Guivín (Uribe 75'), Yovera - Da Luz, Ayarza. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Alianza Lima: Campos - Peruzzi, Míguez, S. García, Lagos - Castillo (Costa 72'), Ballón, Concha - Cueva, Barcos, Reyna (A. Rodríguez 59'). Manager: Mauricio Lerreira.

Referee: Joel Alarcón.

Yellow cards: F. Rodríguez 45'+5', Uribe 80' - Cueva 21'.

In the next round, which is mid-week, Cusco FC will play away at Carlos A. Mannucci, while Alianza Lima will face Sport Huancayo at home.

Full results, table and fixtures:

 

Round 8 (11-13 August 2023)

 

Sport Huancayo – Unión Comercio 1-1

UTC Cajamarca – Carlos A. Mannucci 2-0

Universidad César Vallejo – FBC Melgar 1-2

Sport Boys – ADT Tarma 1-1

Cienciano – Academia Cantolao 1-0

Universitario de Deportes – Deportivo Binacional 1-0

Sporting Cristal – Deportivo Garcilaso 3-0

Cusco FC – Alianza Lima 1-1

Deportivo Municipal – Atlético Grau awarded to Atlético Grau

Alianza Atlético bye

 

Clausura table

 

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

 

Rules for classification (except for first place): 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) drawing of lots.

A play-off is needed to decide the winner if two or more teams are tied on points on top of the table at the end of the tournament.

 

Round 9 (15-17 August 2023)

 

Unión Comercio – Cienciano

Academia Cantolao – Alianza Atlético

FBC Melgar – UTC Cajamarca

ADT Tarma – Universitario de Deportes

Carlos A. Mannucci – Cusco FC

Deportivo Garcilaso – Sport Boys

Alianza Lima – Sport Huancayo

Atlético Grau – Sporting Cristal

Deportivo Binacional – Universidad César Vallejo

Deportivo Municipal bye

 

Aggregate table (Apertura + Clausura)

 

1	Alianza Lima (AW)	26	17	4	5	43-19	55	Qualified for the play-offs & CL
2	Universitario de Deportes	26	17	3	6	43-16	54	Qualified for the play-offs & CL
3	Sporting Cristal	26	14	11	1	51-22	53	Qualified for Copa Libertadores
4	FBC Melgar	26	11	9	6	39-27	42	Qualified for Copa Libertadores
5	Cusco FC	25	12	4	9	32-31	40	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
6	Sport Huancayo	25	11	6	8	39-29	39	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
7	Univ. César Vallejo	26	10	7	9	35-35	37	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
8	Carlos A. Mannucci	26	11	4	11	23-28	37	Qualified for C. Sudamericana
9	Deportivo Garcilaso	25	9	9	7	47-38	36
10	Cienciano	25	10	6	9	32-33	36
11	ADT Tarma	25	9	8	8	32-31	35
12	Atlético Grau	25	8	6	11	34-31	30
13	Alianza Atlético	25	8	6	11	38-42	30
14	Sport Boys	26	8	5	13	18-35	29
15	UTC Cajamarca	26	6	10	10	23-31	28
16	Deportivo Binacional	25	7	3	15	38-50	24
17	Unión Comercio	26	6	6	14	30-56	24	Relegation to Second Division
18	Deportivo Municipal *	26	8	3	15	26-35	22	* Relegation to Second Division
19	Academia Cantolao	26	4	4	18	15-49	16	Relegation to Second Division

 

* Deportivo Municipal have been deducted 5 points for financial irregularities.

AW – Apertura winners

CW – Clausura winners

Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) drawing of lots; 5) play-off (only if needed to decide teams for relegation)