Comerciantes Unidos - Cusco FC 0-1 (0-1)
N. Silva 27'
Monday, 8 April 2024, 3 pm local time (8 pm UTC), Germán Contreras Jara Stadium, Cajabamba, Peru, 10th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).
Comerciantes Unidos (in purple) and Cusco FC (in gold) players together before the start of the match. Photo source: Lucianofotografía25 Facebook page
In third place before the round and unbeaten at home for almost 2 years (23 matches, but mostly in the Second Division), Comerciantes Unidos were in theory favorites in this game against Cusco FC. However, in the field, things looked quite different, with Cusco FC leading the way from start to finish, while the home side played poorly and hardly had any chances.
Cusco FC were greatly superior in all compartments, and dominated heavily, maintaining possession for long periods of time. They also reached the target more than once, but Vásquez' shot went wide (4'), while Nicolás Silva was denied by goalkeeper Diego Campos (10').
Comerciantes Unidos hardly crossed the half-way line, while Cusco FC dominated the entire game. Photo source: LFP Facebook page
The only goal of the game was very spectacular. Lucas Colitto crossed from the left side, and the ball got to Nicolás Silva on the other side, who took his chance with a strong left-footed shot to the far post, without any previous control: 0-1 (27').
Cusco FC players celebrated the goal. Photo source: LFP Facebook page
One would have expected Comerciantes Unidos to react, but nothing happened, and the game continued much as before, with Cusco FC in total control before and after the break.
The only event that was really out of ordinary was the expulsion of Cusco FC manager, Miguel Rondelli (62'). Because he had been sent off in the previous game, he was not allowed to stay on the bench, but instead he stayed in the official lounge in the stands, from where he shouted to his players and staff, and sometimes the referee. The referee did not accept this and ordered Rondelli out of the stadium (!!), and the Cusco FC manager had to comply, although this is something unheard of: is the referee allowed to evacuate people out of the stadium?
A few minutes were lost with this, then the game continued, but again, not much changed. Comerciantes Unidos played indeed so poorly, that it would have been easy for Cusco FC to score again. Only in the final 15 minutes the home side started to push more for an equalizer.
In the final quarter of an hour Comerciantes Unidos attacked more, but were unable to score. Photo source: Lucianofotografía25 Facebook page
While Comerciantes Unidos moved more people into attack, Cusco FC had more space for counterattacks and they missed several chances to increase their advantage, such as Colitto's shot right into the hands of the goalkeeper from an excellent position (72').
Eventually, Cusco FC scored after a set piece. Colman took a free kick, raised the ball to Ramírez on the left, who headed towards Aucca in front of the goal, and Aucca headed it in (82'). After a long wait, the VAR decided that Ramírez was in an offside position and the goal was canceled.
Nicolás Silva (Cusco FC, left, here chasing Dubán Palacios who has the ball) was the hero of the day for Cusco FC. Photo source: Lucianofotografía25 Facebook page
There were several minutes of stoppage time, and Cusco FC missed another great opportunity, by means of Colman, whose shot from close range was blocked miraculously by the goalkeeper Campos (90'+6').
All in all, Cusco FC obtained a great and more than deserved win, and they actually climbed in seventh place, having the same number of points as their opponents, Comerciantes Unidos, which are sixth only due to a higher number of goals scored.
Comerciantes Unidos: Campos - Barrios (Santamaría 67'), C. González, Almirón, D. Palacio - Páucar (Paico 57'), Noriega (Sen 86') - Lastre, Magallanes (Salinas 86'), Pinto (Caro 57') - S. Gonzales. Manager: Carlos Silvestri.
Cusco: Vidal - Ramírez, Bilbao, Pérez - Valenzuela, Zevallos (Aucca 59') - Silva (Schmidt 90'+2'), Vásquez (Cárdenas 80'), Colman, Colitto - Tévez (Ramos 80'). Manager: Miguel Rondelli.
Referee: Jesús Cartagena.
Yellow cards: Barrios 66', C. González 72', Noriega 79' - Pérez 12', Zevallos 56', Vidal 60', Colitto 76'.
In the next round, Cusco FC play at home on Sunday against ADT Tarma, while Comerciantes Unidos will play away at Universidad César Vallejo in Trujillo.
Full results, table and fixtures:
Round 10 (5-8 April 2024)
Atlético Grau – Sport Boys 0-0
Universitario de Deportes – Alianza Atlético 1-0
Los Chankas – FBC Melgar 2-2
Unión Comercio – Universidad César Vallejo 2-2
Carlos A. Mannucci – Alianza Lima 0-4
Cienciano – UTC Cajamarca 1-1
ADT Tarma – Deportivo Garcilaso 2-2
Sporting Cristal – Sport Huancayo 4-0
Comerciantes Unidos – Cusco FC 0-1
Apertura table
|
1 |
Sporting Cristal |
10 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
29-10 |
25 |
Qualified for the play-offs |
|
2 |
Universitario de Deportes |
10 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
14-2 |
22 |
|
|
3 |
Alianza Lima |
10 |
6 |
0 |
4 |
21-10 |
18 |
|
|
4 |
FBC Melgar |
10 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
16-13 |
17 |
|
|
5 |
Cienciano |
10 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
15-13 |
17 |
|
|
6 |
Comerciantes Unidos |
10 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
17-17 |
17 |
|
|
7 |
Cusco FC |
10 |
5 |
2 |
3 |
11-11 |
17 |
|
|
8 |
ADT Tarma |
10 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
18-17 |
15 |
|
|
9 |
Atlético Grau |
10 |
3 |
5 |
2 |
11-8 |
14 |
|
|
10 |
Sport Huancayo |
10 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
14-14 |
14 |
|
|
11 |
Sport Boys |
10 |
3 |
2 |
5 |
10-10 |
11 |
|
|
12 |
Los Chankas |
10 |
3 |
1 |
6 |
13-18 |
10 |
|
|
13 |
UTC Cajamarca |
10 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
11-13 |
9 |
|
|
14 |
Alianza Atlético |
10 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
7-12 |
9 |
|
|
15 |
Deportivo Garcilaso |
10 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
11-15 |
8 |
|
|
16 |
Universidad César Vallejo |
10 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
10-18 |
8 |
|
|
17 |
Carlos A. Mannucci |
10 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
8-27 |
8 |
|
|
18 |
Unión Comercio |
10 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
11-19 |
6 |
|
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 11 (12-15 April 2024)
Sport Huancayo – Cienciano
Alianza Atlético – Unión Comercio
FBC Melgar – Carlos A. Mannucci
Sport Boys – Universitario de Deportes
Universidad César Vallejo – Comerciantes Unidos
Cusco FC – ADT Tarma
Alianza Lima – Atlético Grau
UTC Cajamarca – Los Chankas
Deportivo Garcilaso – Sporting Cristal
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