On Friday afternoon, the 19th of April, Inca Garcilaso de la Vega Stadium in Cusco hosted a much-awaited derby between Real Garcilaso (third in the table) and Sporting Cristal (classified second as well as title holders), two of the strongest teams in the Peruvian Liga 1.
The two managers put the best possible line-ups in the field, as the match was decisive for both teams in search for the Apertura title, which gives a spot to the final play-offs.
The home side started very promising, and dominated the game in the beginning, but soon enough the visitors managed to balance the game and had their own opportunities. In the 34th minute, a cross from the right in the middle of the area caused problems to goalkeeper Ferreyra who could not hold the ball, Merlo dribbled the goalkeeper, shooted strongly and the ball was deflected into the net by Emanuel Herrera: 0-1.
Goalkeeper Daniel Ferreyra (Real Garcilaso, in yellow) was often in a difficult situation in front of Sporting Cristal strikers. This image was taken right before the visitors' only goal
Real Garcilaso continued to control the game and had several opportunities in the second half, especially by means of Rengifo, whose shots were saved by goalkeeper Alvarez. The home side risked more and more, which created space for the visitors on the counter, but goalkeeper Ferreyra also made an excellent game in front of Sporting Cristal strikers.
Finally, a ball crossed from a free kick by Reimond Manco into the area was headed into the net by Minzun Quina: 1-1 (85').
In the final minutes, both teams tried to score a decisive winning goal but neither could.
The match was very intense, both teams had many opportunities and there were many shots on goal, saved by the two goalkeepers. The draw is somehow logical, each team deserved at least one point.
Real Garcilaso: Ferreyra - Rivas (46 Dulanto), Robles, Quina, Joao Ortiz - Souza, Miguez, Ramua (68 Carando), Nunez - Lecaros (60 Manco), Rengifo. Head coach: Juan Reynoso.
Sporting Cristal: Alvarez - Madrid, Revoredo, Merlo, Cespedes - Pacheco (59 Pretell), Arce, Cazulo, Palacios - C. Ortiz (68 Calcaterra), E. Herrera (78 Tavara). Head coach: Claudio Vivas.
Referee: Miguel Santivanez.
Regarding Real Garcilaso, one issue that is quite obvious is the incapacity of the forward players to score goals. Not just in this match, but also in others - the team is third but only scored 10 goals in 10 matches, which is a rather poor attacking performance. In this match, Rengifo had many opportunities but was unable to score a single goal; Danilo Carando entered the field in the second half but his presence was largely unnoticed; Alfredo Ramua himself, the all-time goalscorer of Real Garcilaso, seems out of shape; while very young Lecaros had few chances and was on the field mainly because of the regulations imposing the use of young and very young players (this applies also to Nunez). It took 85 minutes of almost continuous attack to score one goal, and that was succeeded by a full back after a free kick. Regarding the free kick and the overall game in the second half, one should remark the good match made by Reimond Manco, even if he played just the last half an hour, as well as Souza and Joao Ortiz. Head coach Juan Reynoso remains invincible since his arrival but this is the second consecutive draw in a game in which Real Garcilaso started as favourite.
The main beneficiaries of this draw are Deportivo Binacional, which remain leaders of the Apertura. Real Garcilaso might lose their third position in the table.
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