Monday, 3 May 2021, 3.30 pm local time (8.30 pm UTC), Miguel Grau Stadium, Callao (neutral ground), Peru, 6th round of Stage 1, Peruvian First League (Liga 1), Group B.
There are any unusual coincidences regarding Cusco FC matches this year. The fact that they do not win any game (so far) is an unfortunate one for them. The fact that they do have two men up towards the end of the match and cannot score (or win) is another one. The same happened last week, when they lost 1-0 to Sport Huancayo. This time, they managed to equalize while they were one man up, but failed to score again when their numerical superiority grew to two men up. Even more shocking is that Universidad César Vallejo had some goal opportunities when playing in ten or even nine.
Universidad César Vallejo dominated clearly the first half, when they had lots of chances, especially by means of Vélez on the left flank, where young Royer Villano was an easy victim, because he is not a defender (or a right back). Several Vélez' shots went just a bit wide, were saved by Nicosia or hit the side post, before the same Vélez scored right before half time, greatly assisted by Donald Millán: 1-0 (45').
In the second half, Cusco's manager Claudio Vivas decided to bring in better players - and it is a good question why they didn't start the game. One may understand that young players like Villano and Mendoza are required by the Peruvian rules regarding the minimum number of minutes spent in the field by a young player. However, one should also think about their capabilities, and not send an attacking player like Villano in the right back position (possibly for the first time in his life), especially when there plays the best player of the opponent (Vélez).
Cusco's game greatly improved in the second half but the decisive moment came when Vélez received (wrongfully) the second yellow card and was sent off. Cusco FC intensified their attacks and finally equalized: Aubert launched Céspedes on the left, he crossed to Rizzo in the box, and his shot hit the target: 1-1 (67').
Gonzalo Rizzo (#24) equalized for Cusco FC. Source: Cusco FC Facebook page
Cusco FC dominated the final minutes, and their mission was made easier by Yorleys Mena, who received two yellow cards in just a few minutes (78' and 82') and was sent off. Universidad César Vallejo had to resist with two men less in the final minutes. Cusco FC had several opportunities and one or two possible penalty situations (not given by the referee) but were unable to score the winning goal.
Universidad César Vallejo: Nolasco - Cuba, Garcés, Ramos, Vásquez - Ciucci, Ysique (Rodas 90'+2') - Flores (Quinteros 58'), Millán (Silva 69'), Vélez - Mena. Manager: José Guillermo Del Solar.
Cusco FC: Nicosia - Villano (Carranza 65'), Rizzo, Rossi (Carrillo 81'), Céspedes - Abisab, Tello, Mendoza (Figueroa 46') - Rengifo (Aubert 46'), Montes, Barreiro (Ramúa 64'). Manager: Claudio Vivas.
Referee: Joel Alarcón.
Yellow cards: Vélez 10', 62', Mena 78', 82' - Tello 78', Carrillo 85', Aubert 86'.
Red cards: Vélez 62', Mena 82' (both for the second yellow card).
In the next round, Cusco FC will face the leaders of Group B, Sporting Cristal, on Saturday, 8 May, while Universidad César Vallejo will play against Sport Huancayo on Sunday, 9 May. Cusco FC remains the only team in the Peruvian First League without a single win so far, after the six matches.
Results, tables and fixtures:
Group A
Round 6 (30 April – 3 May 2021)
UTC – Ayacucho 1-3
Universidad de San Martín – Academia Cantolao 1-0
Alianza Atlético – Universitario 1-2
Cienciano – Carlos A. Mannucci 5-2
Binacional – FBC Melgar 1-1
Group A table
|
1 |
Cienciano |
6 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
12-5 |
14 |
Qualified for Stage 1 final |
|
2 |
Ayacucho FC |
6 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
10-4 |
12 |
|
|
3 |
Universidad San Martín |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
7-6 |
10 |
|
|
4 |
UTC |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
7-7 |
7 |
|
|
5 |
Universitario de Deportes |
5 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5-6 |
7 |
|
|
6 |
Carlos A. Mannucci |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
10-12 |
7 |
|
|
7 |
FBC Melgar |
6 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
6-7 |
6 |
|
|
8 |
Alianza Atlético |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
5-7 |
3 |
|
|
9 |
Academia Cantolao |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
3-10 |
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 group winner if two or more teams are tied on points on top of the table at the end of the tournament.
Round 7 (7-8 May 2021)
UTC – Universidad de San Martín
FBC Melgar – Alianza Atlético
Universitario – Cienciano
Carlos A. Mannucci – Ayacucho
Academia Cantolao – Sport Boys
Group B
Round 6 (30 April – 3 May 2021)
Sport Boys – Deportivo Municipal 3-1
Sporting Cristal – Alianza Lima 2-1
Sport Huancayo – Alianza Universidad 3-3
Universidad César Vallejo – Cusco FC 1-1
Binacional – FBC Melgar 1-1
Group B table
|
1 |
Sporting Cristal |
6 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
14-2 |
18 |
Qualified for Stage 1 final |
|
2 |
Universidad César Vallejo |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
12-7 |
11 |
|
|
3 |
Sport Huancayo |
6 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
8-6 |
11 |
|
|
4 |
Alianza Universidad |
6 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
7-8 |
10 |
|
|
5 |
Sport Boys |
6 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
10-10 |
7 |
|
|
6 |
Alianza Lima |
5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
6-6 |
6 |
|
|
7 |
Cusco FC |
6 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
7-9 |
4 |
|
|
8 |
Binacional |
6 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
6-14 |
4 |
|
|
9 |
Deportivo Municipal |
6 |
1 |
0 |
5 |
4-13 |
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 group winner if two or more teams are tied on points on top of the table at the end of the tournament.
Round 7 (7-10 May 2021)
Alianza Lima – Binacional
Cusco FC – Sporting Cristal
Sport Huancayo – Universidad César Vallejo
Deportivo Municipal – Alianza Universidad
Academia Cantolao – Sport Boys
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