Total Soccer qualified dramatically to the fifth stage (last 12) of the Colombian Primera C

Total Soccer - Deportivo J.M. 4-3 (1-2)

Tapias 12', J. Avendaño 54', J. Martínez 65', J.J. Herrera 90'+5' - Páez 35', 44', J. Torres 51'.

Monday, 17 October 2022, 10 am local time (3 pm UTC), Marte #1 Stadium, Medellín, Colombia, 4th stage of the Colombian Primera C (last 22), 2nd leg. 

Total Soccer starting line-up against Deportivo J.M. in Medellín. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Total Soccer suffered a lot in their return leg against Deportivo J.M. (Juventud Molinera) in the fourth stage (last 22) of the Colombian Primera C. The first leg, in El Molino, ended 0-0, so everything was to be decided in Medellín. 

 The referees and team captains before the start of the game. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

On a bright sunny morning, everything seemed to be fine for Total Soccer in the beginning, as they took the lead early, by means of Davinson Tapias: 1-0 (12').

However, the visitors did respond and balanced the game, while Total Soccer retreated in defense. Towards the end of the first half, Deportivo J.M. succeeded to equalize by means of Carlos Páez: 1-1 (35'). The shock was not well received by Total Soccer, and Carlos Páez scored a second goal, bringing Deportivo J.M. into an unexpected advantage right before half time: 1-2 (44').

The second half had even more dramatic turns and twists. While Total Soccer started very offensively, Deportivo J.M. succeeded to get a third goal, by means of Jean Torres: 1-3 (51').

This time, Total Soccer reacted promptly, and Juan David Avendaño scored within three minutes: 2-3 (54'). The pressure increased and eventually Jonatan Martínez equalized after a beautiful action: 3-3 (65').

The remainder of the game was very tense. The weather also changed, from sunny to rainy. Both teams struggled to apply the decisive blow to their opponents. Total Soccer even scored a goal, cancelled for offside. In the last minutes, it looked like both teams were too tired to attack vigurously and turned into defensive moods, not risking too much and waiting for the penalties to solve the issue regarding qualification.

Neverthless, in the last minute of stoppage time, a long ball thrown into Deportivo J.M. box was headed towards the goal, Jeffy Gamez saved but the ball was deflected to Juan José Herrera, in the right place at the right time, and he scored from short range to bring joy for Total Soccer: 4-3 (90'+5').

Juan José Herrera scored the winning goal for Total Soccer. Photo source: capsulas.com.co

Deportivo J.M. played excellent football and their defeat was somewhat undeserved, but one team had to lose in the end, and one to win and to qualify. Total Soccer proved that they are able to come back and win even when they are 3-1 down in the second half.

Total Soccer: K. Martínez - J. Mosquera, Montes, J. Avendaño, Bustamante (Parra 58'), Morón, García, Tapias, S. Avendaño (J. Gutiérrez 3'), J. J. Herrera, J. Martínez (J. Córdoba 81'). Manager: Juan Gabriel Sepúlveda.

Deportivo J.M.: Gámez - Hinojoza, Luna, Fragozo, Rosado (Mendoza 79'), Granadillo, O. Torres, Corzo, Barros, Páez (N. Martínez 63', G. Martínez 87'), J. Torres. Manager: Juan Miguel Romero.

Referee: Santiago Andrés Díaz.

Yellow cards: Granadillo 45', J. Torres 85'.

Total Soccer advances to the fifth stage (last 12), where they will face Escape con el Deporte. The first leg will be played in Medellín this week-end, and this will be the first time that Total Soccer will play the first leg at home in the knock-out stages of the Primera C. The second leg will be played the following week-end in Puerto Tejada, the home town of Escape con el Deporte, close to the metropolitan area of Cali.