The heat hit hard

Atlético Grau - Cusco FC 3-0 (1-0)

Salinas 45'+3', Bandiera 61', De la Cruz 90'+3'.

Saturday, 29 April 2023, 1 pm local time (6 pm UTC), Municipal Stadium, Bernal, Peru, the 14th round of Apertura, Peruvian First Division (Liga 1).

 Atlético Grau starting XI. Photo source: Atlético Grau Facebook page

Cusco FC travelled to the North of Peru, and were severely affected by the extremely hot weather. The host team, Atlético Grau, proved to be much better adapted to the weather conditions. The game was also scheduled in the hottest part of the day, kicking off at 1 pm.

José Fajardo (Cusco FC, in gold) missed the first opportunity of the match. Photo source: Cusco FC Facebook page

Most of the first half, the game was quite balanced. Cusco FC had some opportunities, José Fajardo missing an excellent one right in the beginning (4'), as his shot went wide. A few minutes later, Ayarza sent a high ball into the box, Fajardo won the one on one with his opponent, and lobbed the goalkeeper, but Felucho Rodríguez was unable to touch the ball from a a few meters and one of Grau defenders was able to clear almost from the goal line.

Anthony Gordillo (Cusco FC) tried to stop Atlético Grau forwards. Photo source: Atlético Grau Facebook page

As time passed by, Cusco FC players became less and less fit, physically speaking, and the home side took the initiative more and more. Goalkeeper Ferreyra had a few saves, and Cusco defenders had to struggle to cope with the more frequent opposite attacks. Milesi's long-range shot went slightly wide (39'), but the goal came right before the break: Ray Sandoval retrieved a ball from José Fajardo, Áxel Moyano crossed perfectly and Rodrigo Salinas headed in: 1-0 (45'+3').

Rodrigo Salinas dedicated the goal to his mother, who has recently passed away. Photo source: Atlético Grau Facebook page

The goal boosted the morale of Atlético Grau in the second half, when the home side did whatever they wanted in the field. Cusco FC risked a more offensive approach, which led to a single opportunity, right in the beginning of the second half, but Felucho Rodríguez was denied by Raúl Fernández (53').

The higher number of Cusco FC forwards in the field only gave more space for Atlético Grau, and they made good use of it. Moyano's shot was remarkably saved by Ferreyra (59'), but the second goal came quickly afterwards, after a corner kick. Cusco FC defenders were unable to clear, and Neri Bandiera, from close range, scored easily: 2-0 (61').

Neri Bandiera is congratulated by his teammates for the second goal of the game. Photo source: Atlético Grau Facebook page

In the remaining half an hour, it was all Atlético Grau, as Cusco FC players looked extremely exhausted, and barely moved. Manager Pablo Peirano decided to keep Ayarza, Fajardo and Felucho Rodríguez in the field, although they all seemed very tired. Newly-entered forward Rolando Díaz barely touched the ball. The home side could have scored many times, but missed or were denied by Ferreyra or Cusco defenders. Vivanco failed to score into an empty net, as the ball was eventually cleared from the goal line by a Cusco defender (89').

However, Vivanco had an important contribution to the last goal of the match, which came in stoppage time - he launched Paulo De la Cruz, who, one on one with Ferreyra, found the magic touch to send it home: 3-0 (90'+3').

Paulo De la Cruz celebrated his first goal of the season. Photo source: Atlético Grau Facebook page

Grau: Fernández - Tejada (Mora 79'), Caballero, Franco, Milesi (Ampuero 73') - Moyano, Álvarez, Sandoval (De la Cruz 79'), Márquez (López 79') - Salinas (Vivanco 83'), Bandiera. Manager: Daniel Ahmed.

Cusco: Ferreyra - Velásquez (Morales 82'), Quina, Benincasa, Gordillo (Yovera 60') - Barreto (Aucca 73') - Da Luz (Arakaki 60'), Vidales (R. Díaz 60'), Ayarza, F. Rodríguez - Fajardo. Manager: Pablo Peirano.

Referee: Kevin Ortega.

Yellow cards: Milesi 45'+1' - Quina 42', Arakaki 74'.

With this defeat, Cusco FC dropped one spot, and are now in fourth place, while Atlético Grau climbed into eighth position. In the next round, Cusco FC will face Deportivo Municipal at home, while Atlético Grau will play away at Sport Huancayo.

Full results, table and fixtures:

Round 14 (28-30 April 2023)

 

Sporting Cristal – Universidad César Vallejo 1-1

Atlético Grau – Cusco FC 3-0

Sport Boys – Universitario de Deportes 0-3

Deportivo Garcilaso – Sport Huancayo 1-1

FBC Melgar – Academia Cantolao 5-0

ADT Tarma – Cienciano 3-4

Deportivo Municipal – UTC Cajamarca 2-0

Deportivo Binacional – Alianza Atlético 4-2

Carlos A. Mannucci – Unión Comercio 2-0

Alianza Lima bye

 

Table

 

1	Universitario de Deportes	13	9	1	3	23-9	28	Qualified for the play-offs
2	Alianza Lima	11	9	0	2	19-8	27
3	Carlos A. Mannucci	12	7	2	3	14-8	23
4	Cusco FC	13	7	2	4	17-17	23
5	Universidad César Vallejo	11	5	4	2	17-11	19
6	Sporting Cristal	11	4	6	1	16-11	18
7	Deportivo Municipal	12	5	3	4	14-14	18
8	Atlético Grau	12	4	4	4	20-14	16
9	Deportivo Garcilaso	12	4	4	4	20-17	16
10	Cienciano	11	5	1	5	14-16	16
11	Alianza Atlético	11	4	3	4	20-19	15
12	ADT Tarma	12	4	3	5	15-14	15
13	Sport Huancayo	12	4	3	5	20-20	15
14	UTC Cajamarca	12	3	5	4	9-10	14
15	Unión Comercio	12	4	1	7	14-21	13
16	FBC Melgar	11	2	5	4	11-12	11
17	Deportivo Binacional	11	2	3	6	17-24	9	Relegation to Liga 2
18	Sport Boys	11	2	2	7	7-18	8	Relegation to Liga 2
19	Academia Cantolao	12	1	0	11	6-30	3	Relegation to Liga 2

 

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 15 (5-8 May 2023)

 

Academia Cantolao – Deportivo Binacional

Cusco FC – Deportivo Municipal

Alianza Atlético – ADT Tarma

Sport Huancayo – Atlético Grau

Cienciano – Deportivo Garcilaso

UTC Cajamarca – Sporting Cristal

Universidad César Vallejo – Sport Boys

Alianza Lima – Carlos A. Mannucci

Unión Comercio – FBC Melgar

Universitario de Deportes bye