Friday, 21 May 2021, 1:15 pm local time (6:15 pm UTC), Videna FPF Stadium, Lima (neutral ground), Peru, round 9, Stage 1, Group B, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).
Finally, after eight matches without winning, Cusco FC took all the points in the match against their southern fellows, Binacional. Therefore, every team in Peru has now at least one win in this competition. For Cusco FC, it was even more painful because they had at least one man up in each of the last four games, but could not win. This time, 11 against 11, they were able to win, and quite comfortably. Binacional are obviously passing through a crisis, and are waiting for a new manager. In the meantime, their game was quite chaotic, and Cusco knew how to benefit of this.
The match started with several goal chances. Miguel Carranza and José Daniel Rivera cooperated very well from the beginning, when the former assisted the latter, but goalkeeper Fernández saved (6'). Rivera provided an excellent pass for Villano, who controlled badly the ball, one on one with the goalkeeper (16'). Binacional had a good chance when Marlon de Jesús' shot went into the post (17'). Immediately after, Cusco FC responded with a goal: Ramúa executed a free kick from the left side, and Gonzalo Rizzo slightly deflected the ball, enough to trick the goalkeeper: 1-0 (19').
The referees misjudged when they awarded a penalty for Binacional, for a so-called foul of Rossi on de Jesús. The TV replays proved that there was no foul, and even more, de Jesús was in an offside position from the very beginning. Arango transformed the penalty: 1-1 (23'). The goal gave Binacional some strength, and they had a good period of time attacking, and Cusco goalkeeper, Enríquez, had a difficult time saving a few shots.
However, Cusco FC slowly regained control of the game, and the couple Carranza - Rivera also functioned very well, the former passing to José Daniel Rivera who, alone with Fernández, scored: 2-1 (36').
José Daniel Rivera had an important contribution to Cusco's first win this season. Source: dechalaca.com / FPF
The second half had pretty much the same sort of events. There were many chances, on both sides, as Binacional were forced to search for an equalizer, and Cusco responded on the counterattack, and they were generally speaking more dangerous. Rivera had another good chance, when he robbed the ball from an opposite defender, but his shot was denied by Fernández. However, Cusco eventually scored after an another set piece, like in the case of their first goal: Ramúa executed a corner from the right side, Rivera slightly headed the ball at the near post, and Rossi, all alone in the centre of the box, only had to convert from close range: 3-1 (66').
Cusco FC (in black) were the better team overall. Source: dechalaca.com / FPF
Binacional attacked with all their forces towards the end of the match, with nothing to lose, while Cusco FC changed to a very defensive mood, with five defenders. Goalkeeper Enríquez had to save a few difficult shots, even with a risk of injury, as for instance he clashed with Marlon de Jesús (77'). The biggest opportunities for Binacional came after set pieces, as Adrián Zela headed twice the ball dangerously, the first time denied by Enríquez, the second time by the crossbar (89').
José Daniel Rivera constantly harassed the Binacional defense. Source: dechalaca.com / FPF
Cusco: Enríquez - Figueroa, Rizzo, Rossi, Céspedes - Abisab, Tello - Ramúa (Velásquez 68'), Villano (Barreiro 46'), M. Carranza (Aubert 83') - Rivera (Uscamayta 89'). Manager: Claudio Vivas.
Binacional: R. Fernández - Córdova (Fajardo 68'), Zela, Mancilla, Á. Pérez (J. Rodríguez 79') - Flores (Palomino 68'), J. P. Carranza - De La Cruz (C. Álvarez 68'), Arango, Polar - De Jesús. Manager: César Vaioli (interim).
Referee: Kevin Ortega.
Yellow cards: Córdova 18', Zela 39', Arango 39', Polar 50', De La Cruz 55', Palomino 88'.
This was the last match of Stage 1 for both teams, which would now enter a long period of break, although the Copa América is still in doubt. However, in the next months, the Peruvian professional teams will concentrate on Copa Bicenenario (which is the main cup competition) and on strengthening their ranks. Both Cusco and Binacional need some good players, if they want to survive for one year more in the Peruvian First League (Liga 1). Binacional would probably begin their reconstruction by appointing a new manager. Cusco has already changed the manager, and Claudio Vivas seems to be the right decision for this position. Depending on the other results in this last round, Cusco might be above the relegation line at the end of Stage 1, with 8 points: one win, five draws and three defeats. Binacional would remain last in the classification, with just 4 points.
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